Monday, September 25, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR REMINDED AGAIN TO KEEP LEARNING ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY

In my local paper this morning there were two lengthy
articles about technology. One of them talks about a huge Tech Expo in San Diego that will have 70 companies giving six minutes each on their latest hi tech product.

The other article talks about text messaging. If you aren't doing it yet, you can be pretty sure that you soon will be fors are being called the latest "snail mail" by the Y Generation.

What is a person to do?

1. Give up and say the heck with it --- I can't do it.

2. Check out the internet and see if there is information how to use or even more important learn how to use this technology effectively.

3. Hire your neighborhood teenager to teach you. (Note I did not say have your children teach you.)

My view, we have to learn how to use technology or we will be left far behind the population as a whole.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Subscribe to at least one business magazine so that you can keep up-to-date on trends. A couple of my favorites, "Fast Company" and "Inc."

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR VISITS DORBECHER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Friday morning I checked my calendar and I was scheduled to a take tour of the hospital. Through my Vancouver Rotary, we have developed a fund called the "Alexa Dyer Life Challenge Award." When families are losing their children under the age of 21, we award funds to help families with their mortgage, utility bills and even car repairs. The funds was developed after a Rotarian lost his little girl, Alexa, to cancer. He knew first-hand the challenges families face as they attempt to spend as much possible with their children.

There was a "strong" thought in my mind -- "I really don't have to go. The Committee won't miss me. I have a number of things I should be doing in the office." Yet, I stayed with my commitment to myself -- "If it is in my daytime and it was important enough to write it in, it is important enough to do. "

It would have been my lost had I not gone. The Chief of Staff of the Childrens' Hospital took one-half hour to explain the efforts of the hospital and the plans for enlargement in the future. Unfortunately, cancerous tumors in children is becoming more prevalent.

We met the people in charge of their day-to-day care and smiled as we learned how hard they work to keep the families as normal as possible. Handmade charts on each child's door displayed the names of friends/pets and things that they liked to do. My eyes lit on one that said "I like learning to read." Unfortunately, this child was expected to live only about another week.

I was the one that gained from my follow-through.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Always take a piece of paper with you so that you have a place to write a note to yourself when you have a great idea. You'd be amazed how quickly you forget if you do not capture the great idea at the moment.

ALWAYS take a notepad to meetings......Nothing worse than forgetting your assignment.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR ATTENDS GOVERNOR'S COMBINED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE CONFERENCE

People often ask me how I determine what events I want to go to. First of all, I determine if I can answer "yes" two either one of these questions: Will I enjoy it? Will I learn something?

If the answer to one of them is "yes," I make out my check and send in my reservation. Then once it is written into my calendar it is a go for sure.

This week I attended the Governor's Economic and Workforce Conference. In our local park was held a very classy reception for 500 visitors to our city of Vancouver, Washington directly across from the host hotel. Weather was perfect and food was superb. It was such fun to introduce visitors to leaders in our community and meet new people from throughout the area.

The next morning, at the opening breakfast, I sat back and noted and enjoyed presentations about our economy and marveled at our Governor's speaking ability, including her ability to handle tough questions.

Breakout sessions proved to be extremely informative. I learned about new initiatives in the State and one in particular illustrated how I could help through my work as an Executive Coach and Career facilitator.

As I drove home that night I smiled for it was definitely worth the $100 I had spent for the whole event and realized how much richer I was for the new people I had met and the new ideas that forming in my mind that, I trust, will help others.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

If given the choice of taking a manager's leadership seminar or a communication seminar, choose the communication seminar. Without good communication skills, it is difficult to be a good leader.