Kathy's ConnectionCAREER FACILITATOR NEEDS TO KEEP LEARNING
Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a four-hour seminar on "On-demand Publishing of Books." It was fascinating to hear veteran writer, Hal Zina Bennett, talk about his 30 years experience publishing 25 plus books in all kinds of formats.
One of the woman in the room listened in amazement when she learned how a book is prepared for printing now verses her experience over 10 years ago. The most glaring difference was the cost -- it has gone down so much to design, typeset and publish a book.
Some interesting facts:
Success is considered achieved if 10,000 books are sold. When you go through a publisher your royalty is $1 if it is not discounted, then it is cut to $.50. Think about what that means per hour--not much. Remember you have to help promote the book too.
If you self-publish, the profit turns out to be about $4 a book on average. Yet, remember like when you work with a publisher, you have to do promotional tours/presentations; and, this time you have to do all the advertising.
Mr. Bennett's Point of View: "Bottom line is that the new electronic venues are democratizing publishing, giving us more choices and encouraging diversity."
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
First we had sound bites. Now we have eye bites. That means it is imperative that you have economy of words. People tend not to read a paragraph on internet if it is over 4.5 lines long.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Kathy's ConnectionTWO SPEAKERS AND TRAINERS HAVE POWER BREAKFAST
Often I have people asking me if they can call someone up that they haven't seen or talked to in two or three years. They fear that they had not been good at keeping in touch and the person would not welcome a phone call. Well last Thursday night I got a phone call from Scott Ginsberg.
We met when we both were speakers at conference in Portland. Scott is about to celebrate his five-year anniversary of wearing a nametag. The stories he has to tell!
Since I was leaving for the Washington beaches mid-morning Friday, we decided the only time we could connect was for breakfast. I picked Scott up as he was finishing a phone call with editor of a major magazine. One of his quizzes will be published. (I forgot to ask Scott if I could say which one -- In any case, you would be impressed).
For the next hour we shared ideas, connections and happenings in our lives....the positive energy flew! We didn't want to stop the conversation or the energy that was flying -- yet, we valued that the fact that we connected face-to-face.
http://www.mynameisscott.com
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
Keep your contact program up to date. If you are in the area where someone you had connected with at some level, give them a call and see if you can arrange a time to reconnect. It doesn't matter how much time has passed. The person you call will be impressed you remembered them.
Often I have people asking me if they can call someone up that they haven't seen or talked to in two or three years. They fear that they had not been good at keeping in touch and the person would not welcome a phone call. Well last Thursday night I got a phone call from Scott Ginsberg.
We met when we both were speakers at conference in Portland. Scott is about to celebrate his five-year anniversary of wearing a nametag. The stories he has to tell!
Since I was leaving for the Washington beaches mid-morning Friday, we decided the only time we could connect was for breakfast. I picked Scott up as he was finishing a phone call with editor of a major magazine. One of his quizzes will be published. (I forgot to ask Scott if I could say which one -- In any case, you would be impressed).
For the next hour we shared ideas, connections and happenings in our lives....the positive energy flew! We didn't want to stop the conversation or the energy that was flying -- yet, we valued that the fact that we connected face-to-face.
http://www.mynameisscott.com
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
Keep your contact program up to date. If you are in the area where someone you had connected with at some level, give them a call and see if you can arrange a time to reconnect. It doesn't matter how much time has passed. The person you call will be impressed you remembered them.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Kathy's Connection
CAREER FACILITATOR STRESSES ONE MORE TIME THE IMPORTANCE OF APPEARANCE
This weekend I spent some time at my favorite consignment shop. Sofia has an amazing ability to tell me "why" something looks right or wrong on me. Often, it is just the length of the jacket or the shade of the red. When you feel good -- you act differently. I have made a decision never to walk out the door unless I feel really good. Yes, I have a bag that is getting full---a non-profit will be receiving my bag of clothes shortly.
Most people understand that an opinion about you is made within the first five seconds of meeting you. That goes for how people react when they walk into your store and meet your employees. Employers are constantly asking me how to get their employees to follow store rules with appropriate dress.
1. Tell you employees "why" it is important.
2. Enforce the rules.
There is no excuse that works--there are far too many thrift stores out there that carry quality clothes for anyone at any age or size.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
When someone repeatedly ignores rules, they just might not understand why it is necessary to do the assigned task. When giving out assignments, let the person know why it is important that they follow through. You'll be surprised at how much quicker tasks get done.
CAREER FACILITATOR STRESSES ONE MORE TIME THE IMPORTANCE OF APPEARANCE
This weekend I spent some time at my favorite consignment shop. Sofia has an amazing ability to tell me "why" something looks right or wrong on me. Often, it is just the length of the jacket or the shade of the red. When you feel good -- you act differently. I have made a decision never to walk out the door unless I feel really good. Yes, I have a bag that is getting full---a non-profit will be receiving my bag of clothes shortly.
Most people understand that an opinion about you is made within the first five seconds of meeting you. That goes for how people react when they walk into your store and meet your employees. Employers are constantly asking me how to get their employees to follow store rules with appropriate dress.
1. Tell you employees "why" it is important.
2. Enforce the rules.
There is no excuse that works--there are far too many thrift stores out there that carry quality clothes for anyone at any age or size.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
When someone repeatedly ignores rules, they just might not understand why it is necessary to do the assigned task. When giving out assignments, let the person know why it is important that they follow through. You'll be surprised at how much quicker tasks get done.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Kathy's Connection
CAREER FACILITATOR DOES BUSINESS NETWORKING AND LEARNS AT THE SAME TIME
Last Thursday I was fortunate to be one of the 1000 people at the YWCA's Annual Benefit Luncheon where Paul Rusesabagina spoke. He is the man whose life in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" was protrayed.
Mr. Rusesabagina was a consultant on the movie. They made the conscious decision to use what really happened inside the hotel as a microcosm of the events that were happening. He said if they had made a film about what happened outside of the boundaries of the hotel people would not have paid attention because it was too horrific not only to watch but to comprehend.
He has set up a foundation http://www.hhrfoundation.org
The goal of the organization is to help orphans for he said they are the ones that will be the leaders. We must help them understand how their actions can help or hurt their country.
Mr. Rusesabagina was a wonderful reminder that even when the task is huge, improvements start with an idea of one person.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
The word "should" is one of the three words that we need to eliminate from our daily language. When we say "should" we are making a statement that we know we think it is important, yet
we have not committed to take the action needed to correct or improve the situation.
CAREER FACILITATOR DOES BUSINESS NETWORKING AND LEARNS AT THE SAME TIME
Last Thursday I was fortunate to be one of the 1000 people at the YWCA's Annual Benefit Luncheon where Paul Rusesabagina spoke. He is the man whose life in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" was protrayed.
Mr. Rusesabagina was a consultant on the movie. They made the conscious decision to use what really happened inside the hotel as a microcosm of the events that were happening. He said if they had made a film about what happened outside of the boundaries of the hotel people would not have paid attention because it was too horrific not only to watch but to comprehend.
He has set up a foundation http://www.hhrfoundation.org
The goal of the organization is to help orphans for he said they are the ones that will be the leaders. We must help them understand how their actions can help or hurt their country.
Mr. Rusesabagina was a wonderful reminder that even when the task is huge, improvements start with an idea of one person.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
The word "should" is one of the three words that we need to eliminate from our daily language. When we say "should" we are making a statement that we know we think it is important, yet
we have not committed to take the action needed to correct or improve the situation.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Kathy's Connection
TEACHING BRINGS CAREER FACILITATOR GREAT JOY
This week I was privileged to have three major presentations/facilitations.
1. Intergenerational Communications in the Workplace.
2. Networking Fundamentals
3. Facilitated a National Board Meeting
While I totally enjoy one-on-one executive coaching, it is when I have a room full of people that I realize the real benefit of presenting or facilitating a meeting. It is the ability to share knowledge/wisdom with many more people in a shorter period of time.
Yet, I remember the time when I made my first presentation--I was scared to death. I now know the ability to stand up in front of people is a learned a skill---not something you were born being able to do with no fear. The only way to overcome the fear is to keep getting up there.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
As many of you know, I am not a proponent of Power Point.
Nothing worse than the lights being low and someone reading line for line the same thing he is saying.
Presenters that are tuned in with their audience know if they have the interest of their audience. Flexibility is of utmost importance. A presenter, because she is the authority on the subject, must have many tools in her tool chest. Flipcarts allow you that flexibility
TEACHING BRINGS CAREER FACILITATOR GREAT JOY
This week I was privileged to have three major presentations/facilitations.
1. Intergenerational Communications in the Workplace.
2. Networking Fundamentals
3. Facilitated a National Board Meeting
While I totally enjoy one-on-one executive coaching, it is when I have a room full of people that I realize the real benefit of presenting or facilitating a meeting. It is the ability to share knowledge/wisdom with many more people in a shorter period of time.
Yet, I remember the time when I made my first presentation--I was scared to death. I now know the ability to stand up in front of people is a learned a skill---not something you were born being able to do with no fear. The only way to overcome the fear is to keep getting up there.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:
As many of you know, I am not a proponent of Power Point.
Nothing worse than the lights being low and someone reading line for line the same thing he is saying.
Presenters that are tuned in with their audience know if they have the interest of their audience. Flexibility is of utmost importance. A presenter, because she is the authority on the subject, must have many tools in her tool chest. Flipcarts allow you that flexibility
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