Musings of a corporate maven

Managing cashflow uncertainty: One small business owner shares 6 ways

2011-04-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

Just ran across this blog by Scott Gerber and I think it's a must read for any small business. Several very good ideas for increasing customers motivation to pay.

Six Ways to Smooth Out Uneven Cash Flow

How Do You Know When Its Time for a Business Makeover?

2011-03-31T19:47:00.001-07:00

I keep running into business owners who aren’t that happy. Their business is running along, but they aren’t really sure if their marketing and sales efforts are truly paying off. They think they could be doing better but they’re not sure what to do next. Here are 5 tips that tell you it’s time to sharpen up your marketing and sales strategy:

1. You don’t know where you are going.

Do you have a sales forecast for this month, this quarter, this year? If you don’t, then it’s rather like driving your car blindfolded. Without a sales forecast, how do you know where you are headed to, what you are aiming for this year? You can’t know what marketing or sales activities you need to be doing without a goal in mind.

2. You’re not sure who your customer is.

The phone is ringing and you are meeting those orders but the truth is you have no clear idea who your niche markets are or if the marketing dollars you are spending, are working. You just cross your fingers that the phone keeps ringing, but you know deep down in your heart that you aren’t really growing your business the way you want.

3. The market doesn’t know how to find you or what you do.

Your website is okay but not great. You keep thinking you should do some social media but aren’t really sure how to start or what exactly to do. Your marketing materials were done ages ago and you know they could be better. You have some vague ideas on how customers find you, but you haven’t spent a lot of time building word of mouth. You’ve been too busy to ask for testimonials. You don’t have a prospect list built. If I went and asked 10 different customers to tell me about your company, I would get 10 different answers. There is no consistency to your marketing and sales efforts.

4. The competition is gaining on you.

You’ve always done well before, but sales have been slipping lately. The competition is picking up a lot of new business that used to go to you. Customers are talking about them more. Their website and marketing materials look good and you feel like you are eating their dust. You’re worried, but have been too busy to address the issue yet.

5. Your bottom line isn’t showing the numbers you really want to see.

It’s easy to get super busy in the daily stuff of running your business, which can allow you to ignore that little voice that isn’t happy with the number of hours you are putting in working and the money you are making. Truth is, it can be easy to roll along and tell yourself that the economy is tough and you are still in business, so that’s okay. It’s not. Every single business owner out there has a number they want to be making – so why are you settling for less?

We do spring cleaning. We take stock and make resolutions for ourselves in the beginning of a new year. Yet when it comes to our businesses, we keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result! A business makeover allows you to attract new customers, increase your revenues, beat out your competition and make the kind of money you want to. A freshening up of your business is essential to staying successful in this market.

Photography + Design tell the story in this great promo piece

2011-03-27T09:42:00.001-07:00

I just ran across a piece on designworklife about a project by Lenlee Represents. Lenlee challenged 4 of her photogaphers to shoot a Vintage Airstream promo. My favorite thing about this entire piece how the graphic design elements shown in the video below come together. Using real people tells a story that graphics alone cannot. Courtney has posted her favorite photoshoot (I agree with her!). Enjoy!!
~ Maven

lenlee represents 2010 self promo from lenlee jenckes on Vimeo.

Failure… a vital part of success

2011-03-08T21:41:00.001-08:00

Earlier I today I sent out this tweet:

Words to live by --> "The way to accelerate your success is to double your failure rate." - Tom Watson, Sr., Inventor & Asst to Alexander Graham Bell

As Marcus W. replied on LinkedIn: “How true that is. Failure = Knowledge = Wisdom.“

The search for an appropriate quote was actually inspired by one of my colleagues who said something along the lines of “Anything worth succeeding at is worth failing at” (or something like that, I am sure I don’t have it exactly right but I got the drift!).

Just in case it’s your day to be discouraged, here are some famous examples to keep you going…

Author Stephen King received 30 rejections for his book Carrie. He finally just gave up and threw it in the trash. Fortunately his wife pulled it out of the garbage and talked him into submitting it one more time.
Heard from one of Beethoven’s music teachers –> "as a composer he is hopeless."
Walt Disney was once fired from a newspaper because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas."
Harrison Ford was told by the Vice President of Columbia Pictures that he was never going to make it in the business.
Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first television job because she was “unfit for TV.”

Being a classic overachiever, I wonder how fast success can be achieved by tripling my failure rate (Thanks for the encouragement, Ms. CE!!)?? I’ll keep you posted!

Don’t forget all the successes count… feel free to add up all the small ones! And don’t forget to learn from the failures…

Enjoying ride… Maven

Maven Gadgets: My favorite Milk Frother, Kudos Nespresso

2011-01-19T23:21:00.001-08:00

Knowing that I am addicted to Matcha Green Tea Lattes, a friend of mine recommended a milk steamer so that I could enjoy my addiction at home. I am a gadget geek. I love any kind of gadget, tool, office supplies and more. But often gadgets are a source of great disappointment failing to live up to their original promise.

The Nespresso Aeroccino lives up to it’s promise and more. I love any sort of a latte but I don’t drink coffee nor do I have a traditional steamer (as you would find on an expresso machine). Billed as a milk frother or steamer, I actually use the whisk attachment to whisk my matcha tea (which I either drink straight or as a latte). We have been known to use it to heat a single cup of water for tea. The kids can use it relatively unsupervised and have on several occasions whipped up their own hot chocolates (which are hot but not scalding).

Nespresso 3192US Aeroccino Plus

Product Features

4.4 Oz max. hot or cold milk froth capacity
1 Button preparation
Easy to clean

Highly recommend! ~ Maven

Blog your way to expert status

2011-01-19T23:03:00.000-08:00

Are you an expert but nobody knows it? Or are you working on becoming an expert?
A blog can be a great way to get started establishing your expertise!
Here are some Maven Do’s & Don’ts:
DO:

Just get started. It seems to take about 100 posts before your blog really starts “rising to the top” so you just want to get started. There are great options such as Blogger or WordPress. Be sure to look at the features that are important to you before you pick a tool. For instance, if you want your own domain name (http://www.corpmavenmusings.com) you’ll likely choose WordPress. If you want more integration with Google, you might choose Blogger.
Have a main theme/storyline and identity that keeps people interested and wanting to come back. This theme is your main “expertise” area.
Really share your expertise! Be a thought leader. Give it away for free. Why do restaurants give away their “secret” recipes? Because it builds loyalty and brand recognition. If someone wants the real deal, they will always come to the source, even if they have the recipe.
Don’t be afraid to do short posts and explore side topics. This breaks up the monotony and makes you more interesting to readers. Tie side topics back to main theme if possible but don’t force it.
Respond faithfully to reader comments and use them for future blog topics.
Get your name out there by commenting on other experts blogs.
Use trackback links to let other bloggers know when you are blogging about their content.
Consider asking another blogger if you can contribute a guest posting. (see About.com article below)
Use social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) to update your followers when you have posted a new entry.

DON’T:

If you have a product, do share updates but DON’T make your blog into a product announcement page (unless that is the intention and then go for it!). You are an expert in a given domain, a thought leader. If your readers connect with you then your product will benefit.
Do not disrespect other bloggers or experts with comments or needlessly ridicule. This will only come back to bite you later (plus it’s bad Karma!).

Once you’ve established your expertise on your blog, leverage this body of work to expand into other areas by volunteering as a speaker at the Chamber of Commerce, local schools or other community venues. Consider writing a regular column for a local newspaper. The sky’s the limit!! You just need to START!
Happy blogging! ~ Maven
Related articles from About.com:

Maven Reading: Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage

2011-01-11T22:32:00.001-08:00

I am happy to say I got one of my Christmas wishes (thanks to wishzilla.com) and have been enjoying Hazel Rowley’s new book Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage.

Ms. Rowley explores the 40 years Eleanor and FDR were married and the varying extended relationships that they both seemed to have had. The even more fascinating part of the book for me is the evolution of Eleanor in particular. I must confess that as she’s described in the earlier part of her life, I don’t think I would have had much to do with her. However, her transformation as she embraces her circumstances is nothing short of extraordinary.

Whether or not you agree or disagree with the author’s point of view, this book is well worth a read for history and Roosevelt buffs alike. It highlights many lessons that are applicable in today’s business or political careers. The book also provides an interesting insight into a particularly challenging economic and political issues dealt with by FDR and Eleanor, many of which have obvious parallels to current conditions.

Enjoy and I hope to hear your thoughts!

~ Maven

Here is the link to the Kindle editions for those of you like me who need instant gratification. It’s cheaper too.

Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage (Kindle Edition)

Tasty & healthy Quinoa Salad

2011-01-10T14:12:00.001-08:00

This is my version of “Inca” Quinoa Salad. It is fast, easy and everyone (even the kids) absolutely love it. Quinoa is packed with protein and fiber. Coincidentally, this recipe is also vegan (quite by accident). It is versatile as well. In fact, I just had leftover salad in a wrap with avocado, Morningstar Grillers, scallions & feta cheese. Yum!!

2 cups quinoa, cooked (I add a couple of vegetable bouillon cubes so it’s cooking in broth)
1 cup frozen corn or one can of corn
1 (16 ounce) can of SW Pinquitos drained. This is not an ad for S&W. These beans come flavored with Cumin and are simply the perfect bean for this dish in flavor and size.
Alternatively, I recommend black beans.
1 tomato, chopped into small cubes (should be no bigger than the beans if possible)
½ cup of cucumber, chopped into small cubes
1 bunch green onion, chopped (yummy but optional)
1/4 cup cilantro or 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice (I actually squeeze in on whole lemon or 2 limes but this is to taste)
1 teaspoon cumin, ground (to taste)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook the quinoa as recommended on the package, adding the bouillon cubes if desired. I use a rice cooker which shuts off automatically when done making it fast and convenient.

Once the quinoa is ready, add all of the rest of the ingredients and toss together. Add salt and pepper to taste. I recommend tasting before adding salt, especially if you used bouillon to cook the quinoa.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve as a salad topped with fresh green onion or cilantro as a garnish
Serve with chips as is or add in Avocado
Makes a great addition to any sandwich wrap

Click for Nutrition Facts for additional Quinoa Nutrition Information

Enjoy!

~Maven

Tips for home office dwellers: Taming the paper overload

2010-11-16T09:11:00.001-08:00

No matter WHAT do, I seem to get overwhelmed by paper. It comes in every crack and crevice (sort of like the letter from Hogwarts to Harry Potter in Book I).

While I admit to having some stacks still lurking, I thought I would share a few of my favorite easy to use technologies that are helping me tame to paper overload. I have actually had all these parts in pieces in my home office for a while and just recently sat down to figure out how to make them all work together.

Key Ingredients:

A computer. In this case I am using an Intel vPro™ desktop running Windows 7.

HP Officejet Pro 8500 A909g Series WiFi multifunction printer

Western Digital My Book World Edition 1 TB Network Attached Storage WDH1NC10000N

These three devices are connected to a Cisco Linksys E1000 WiFi Router although this will work with any WiFi network. The PC and the My Book are connected directly via Ethernet and the Printer is in my husband’s office down the hall connected via Wi-Fi.

Follow the manufacturers directions for attaching each device to your network. Once the devices are connected this is where the magic begins.

Starting with the My Book, launch WD Discovery (which you should have installed as part of setting up the drive) and “Map Network Drive.” You may have done this step already.

Say YES to automatically map the drives and the wizard will walk you through assigning drive letters. Feel free to go into Configure and customize the drive folders, etc. but for the purposes of this example, we are just using the defaults.

This will result in 2 network folders that you can now access via clicking on Computer in Explorer.

I suggest creating a folder structure for the types of paperwork you are planning on scanning and storing. Make a note of the drives actually name and the folders you are wanting to use.

Example:

\\MyBookWorld\Public\Scans\Receipts
\\MyBookWorld\Public\Scans\Taxes
\\MyBookWorld\Public\Scans\Correspondence
\\MyBookWorld\Public\Scans\Bills

Next, go to your Windows Start menu and navigate to Devices and Printers. Find your Printer, right click and select Properties. Click the Hardware tab and toward the bottom you will see a URL. In this case it’s http://192.168.1.111/ (ignore the information after the colon, in this case :3910). By double clicking on the URL, it will be highlighted and you can copy it to your clipboard by right-clicking and selecting copy.

Open your Internet Browser and type or paste in the URL.

Your printer will graciously present you with the following webpage:

The option we are most interested is the Scan to Network Folder Setup option under Digital Filing. (I highly recommend configuring your Scan to E-mail Setup as well. The setup wizard is easy to follow.)

Once you Click Scan to Network Folder Setup you will click the button. Fill out all of the fields using the pathnames you defined above (i.e. \\MyBookWorld\Public\Scans\Receipts), including whatever password you configured for your My Book.

Once you have saved your settings, you will now be able to go to your printer and the locations you set up will be available on the printer’s scan menu.

Do a test scan and Voila! You are on your way to digitizing your filing!

If my explanations are missing something, please do not hesitate to post a comment and I will get you an answer!

Happy decluttering…

~Maven

If the world didn’t suck…

2010-10-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Ok, so 3 months have passed since I posted. I can’t seem to find a cadence that works and when I sit down to write, the cursor blinks…nothing. Sigh.

I have to say I’ve had an insane week. The most insane thing is my daughter getting bit by a rabid bat. I won’t go into the details but write this down…

Bats should not be out in the day.
Normal bats do not land in little girls hair.
If you see a bat in broad daylight, call animal control immediately.
Take a box of chocolates to all doctor appointments for rabies vaccinations (yes, plan on 5 visits).

Remember these rules and everyone will be happier…even the bats who can then concentrate on only coming out when they are supposed to and helping keep down the mosquito population!

This was a reality check in the middle of a chaotic month of change at the office, business travel, non-profit volunteer demands, and more. My daughter’s well being is my #1 priority and the rest can wait (and pile up… which it did and is).

So yes, I feel like I’m on roller skates… going downhill.

After having a mini-panic attack (sorry, hubby), I reach out to a few girlfriends. Having a support structure of friends is not something that I ever thought I had much need for but as I grow wiser over time (no age jokes, please) I have come to appreciate the friends who will just pick up the phone and listen to the rant while making nonsensical soothing noises.

Result? My sense of humor resurfaced (thank goodness!) and perspective was restored… Even the roller skating seems more thrilling. Just gotta roll with it. The piles will grow and shrink but hey, in the context of everything else, they are just piles. Nothing to stress over… maybe pull up a trashcan and just push one or two of them in. Hmmmmm.

I love this quote and it seems so appropriate this week:

“Just remember, if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.” ~Author Unknown

Heh. That makes me laugh.

~Maven

Do you have a split personality? Embrace it!

2010-06-30T23:44:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago (maybe it was months ago?) someone handed me a clipping of Petula Dvorak’s column with the title “Working moms: Navigating our double lives.” If you haven’t read it, I recommend it as a quick little reality check.

I must say I laughed at the example of the woman on the playground with her blackberry. I admire women’s general ability to switch gears on a dime and make the best of the time they have. A few weeks ago, a co-working was mentioning that her daughter’s gymnastics school now has WiFi and she sits in the bleacher with her laptop during class. (Apparently this had an added benefit of helping her avoid having to talk with another particularly annoying parent!) Hooray for technology!

How do we manage it all? Is the famous “work-life balance” an achievable reality? Or do we need to continue to evolve our dual personalities? A senior colleague once put it in terms of “choices”… something along the lines of “there is no such thing as work life balance, it’s all about choices.”

I found this quote that I think sums it up:

“To acquire balance means to achieve that happy medium between the minimum and the maximum that represents your optimum. The minimum is the least you can get by with. The maximum is the most you're capable of. The optimum is the amount or degree of anything that is most favorable toward the ends you desire.” Nido Qubein

Maven’s advice: Embrace your split personality… it’s not really a split personality, you just have many facets of you and you know how to use them. And the more facets a diamond has, the more it shines.

p.s. In fairness, here in California, men seem to be culturally more inclined to put on the daddy hat, take bonding leave, and generally shoulder a portion of the overall “kid-sized” burden.

“Ho, ho, ho. It's magic, you know. Never believe it's not so.” Easily keep your website up to date…it really is Magic-ally possible.

2010-06-14T20:42:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer… my thoughts and opinions are my own and do not represent the opinion of anyone other than me…

So, as you know, I don’t normally cover product recommendations but today’s blog is an exception. And only because it allows me to make address a very big Maven pet peeve: Out of date websites. Now, in one of my past lives I was a webmaster and can honestly say I have quite a few websites and web-based applications (now called “cloud apps”) under my belt. But seeing as I have mostly left web development and design to others these days, I can honestly say that as a user of many of today’s business websites I have a much more critical view of the lack of up-to-date information. Oh, of course, large companies have whole departments just to keep the online content flowing. But for the everyday small or medium business, your digital face to the world is the 24 hour a day image and believe me, your potential and existing customers have formed an opinion.

Fortunately, it’s no longer necessary to explain to business owners the importance of a website. Most everyone understands how crucial an online presence is, especially with the current number of smart phone users. It is really just easier to go to a company's website than look up a phone number, dial it, navigate the menu, sit on hold...you get the idea.

What has not quite gotten through to many business owners, however, is the importance of keeping your website updated, interesting, and relevant. And I don't just mean in terms of design, which is very important, but the content itself. You may have a beautiful site that customers enjoy visiting, but eventually they will tire of it if there is nothing new for them to read.

Now, Maven understands that, updating your site is not always a simple task, especially if you are a very busy business owner (or a very busy marketing manager) with little to no HTML experience. If any of the following scenarios sounds like you, I apologize for giving you one more thing that wakes you up in a panic in the middle of the night:

1) “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!” My website has all my contact information. I’d love to add new content to my website but I don't know any HTML, don't really have the time or interest to learn, and worry that I’ll mess something up.

2) “I’m saving up!” My web designer charges me per hour and I would rather contact her when I have a lot of major changes. I don't want to spend the money to add three sentences and fix my spelling error!

3) “I have the power but where’s the manual?” My web designer gave me Joomla/Drupal/some other CMS (Content Management System) and showed me how to use it to update my site. My designer said it would be easy except for some reason I have to look up the instructions every time I need to change something. I end up having to call my web designer anyway so how is this easier? (And my web designer is as tired of taking my calls as I am of calling him! He really is a great guy… ) Bleh.

Fortunately ( or should I say “magically,” <snicker>), I have found a better way. There is a cloud service called MagicEdit (www.magicedit.com) that works as advertised; it's the simplest tool that I've seen by far, yet it is quite powerful and can handle much more than just text replacement. MagicEdit was offering a two-week free trial and I had a couple free hours to kill so I decided to try it out on one of my personal, all-but-forgotten, sites. Being and crusty, ex-web developer myself, I approached my experiment with a good deal of skepticism. The instructions for setting up the text replacement fields are surprisingly straightforward. In fact, once I had my site uploaded to the service, it took me less than two minutes to get MagicEdit working. Seriously, I just installed a basic Content Management System in two minutes. I don't know if anyone out there is aware of how long it takes to configure a site with Wordpress, Joomla, or Drupal, but it's not two minutes. It's probably not two hours either. (Not that I don’t love those capabilities but Maven firmly believes in the right tool for the right problem.)

I quickly added an editable text area (yes, dear readers, I edited “the code”… The code does need to be touched at least once to mark editable areas). It was just a basic home page greeting. "Hello World," or something like that. I went to my site to try it out. The directions for logging in were easy, so I took a look at my home page and there it was. A shiny little red "edit" button. Not quite so direct as the "Eat Me" cake or "Drink Me" bottle from Alice and Wonderland, but equally as tempting. I clicked the edit button, et voila, a text box (dare I say “magic” again?). I typed my new text and clicked submit, et voila again, "Hello, and welcome to my new home page." Not very eloquent, I know, but I was amazed at how easy it was. Three steps: edit, type, submit.

Hmmpf…well, that’s just text. I’m sure in my bad programming old days I coulda come up with that! Accept that I found out that I could also add images, update news pages, create blog entries… double hmmpf… and all for about $15 a month (that includes hosting fee), no repeat calls to my guy. Well, I thought brightly, it’s about darn time!! Too bad I’m not still designing web pages… I’d be the hottest designer around and EVERY one of my clients would be on MagicEdit. Freeeeedom! Who says you can’t have your cake and eat to? Certainly not me. Try it… I dare you. And demand nothing less for your web designer. Be free! Start at http://magicedit.com.

Magically yours,

Maven

“Magic” lyrics in title by Pilot

Exit strategies aren’t just for small business owners; you need one too.

2010-06-01T12:36:00.001-07:00

I subscribe to a great e-newslettercalled “little PINK book” from Pink Magazine. The May 24th article is a good one for business owners and emphasizes the need to go really make sure you have an exit strategy in place. This can be really difficult because as the owner/founder; there is always something that seems you are certain is simply going to fail if you aren’t there. There is also the guilt over abandoning something that is your legacy.

Personally, I believe that there are a lot of similarities between business owners and career professionals in the area of exit strategies. Most of us might be more comfortable in thinking of “exit strategy” more in the terms of “plan b” but regardless of what you want to call it, an alternative plan is a must.

Some things to consider when thinking about your own plan:

What are your current assets and can you write them down (aka Resume)?
Are there any gaps in your skills (assets) that you should take the time to fill by taking on special projects or attending a training class?
How healthy is your network and what is your plan to make it healthier?
What are your financial requirements and do you have a plan in place to achieve “money” goals?
If you were to do something else, what type of work would you love to do? What job characteristics would appeal to you the most? What would you absolutely hate?

Having a “plan b” doesn’t mean you have to execute it but you’ll be surprised at how much more confident you’ll be in your current job when you know you have other options.

Happy planning!
Maven

ZERO guilt achieved! Days 5 and 6 of the “guilt-free vacation” filled with seahorses and great coastal dining

2010-04-01T16:59:00.001-07:00

Days 5 and 6 of my “guilt free vacation” and ZERO guilt achieved! In fact, it was so successful that when we checked out of the hotel this morning I had NO CLUE where my Blackberry was. When I tried to call it, it went straight to voicemail (the battery must be dead… muahahahahaha…. ). Anyway, I did locate it (or at least I saw the corner of it stuffed down inside my bag).

Yesterday (Day 5) we strolled from Old Fisherman’s Wharf down to Cannery Row… grabbed some mediocre breakfast at Austino’s across from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Cannery Row is sorely lacking in decent dining).

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3
Day 3: Monday	6
Day 4: Tuesday	1
Day 5: Wednesday	0
Day 6: Thursday	0
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

The Aquarium has an amazing seahorse exhibit! I had no idea they came in so many different types.

Later in the evening we snuck out for drinks at Lallapalooza. Then it was off to a late night small plates style dinner and an amazing Williams Salyem 2007 Coastlands Pinot Noir at Passionfish.

Day 6 and time to head home. However, we did manage to sneak in one final stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea for a simply fantastic breakfast at Katy’s Place (cash only at this hotspot, folks) before making it back home in record time.

Now I’m off to a retirement party for one of my favorite non-work people!

Signed, “Vacationing” Maven

p.s. I think I could get good at this vacationing stuff if I practiced a bit longer!

Day 4 and we are down to a 1 on the guilt-free vacation scale

2010-03-31T08:55:00.001-07:00

Day 4 of my “guilt free vacation” and I only did one guilty thing. I plugged my Blackberry in after noticing that the battery had died to the point of the radio being off. Ok, and a snuck a look at my inbox but I didn’t reply to anything (at least I don’t think I did…so maybe that should earn me a 2 instead of a 1 but since I’m the judge, I get to pick the score!).

We had a fantastic day! Whale watching was a success and we were in the middle of a huge pod of 500-900 pacific white sided dolphins before we headed off to see a couple of grey whales. The grey whales were being harassed by a bunch of dolphins who were trying to get them to start swimming so they could go along for a joy ride. Not something you can see if you are working!

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3
Day 3: Monday	6
Day 4: Tuesday	1
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

After squeezing in lunch, a nap (who gets a nap on a normal day??), shopping and a birthday cake for my other half, we abandoned the kids to the in-laws and had a nice dinner out at Montrio.

One more day to go in lovely Monterey…

Signed, “Vacationing” Maven

Worked 1/2 day on Guilt-Free vacation Day 3

2010-03-30T08:34:00.001-07:00

Day 3 of my “guilt free vacation” and due to a re-org at work and new employees being transferred to my department, it was a semi-work day. I feel that transition management is vital and speaking to these new employees and welcoming them to the team was important to me.

I did a bit of email on my Blackberry on the long drive to Monterey (I was bored), but I did appreciate N’s email response that said “WE GOT IT… RELAX!” Thanks, N!

The day ended with a fantastic walk along the coast to Cannery Row, mediocre Pizza and a walk back that included a lesson on Astronomy from my 6 year old. What we didn’t know, we made up! We certainly decided that despite the prevailing scientific opinion, we think Pluto should still be a planet.

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3
Day 3: Monday	6
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

Looking forward to whale watching, wandering, eating and shopping. Blackberry stays in the hotel.

Signed, “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation – Day 2 Guilt free until 9pm.

2010-03-28T22:23:00.001-07:00

Day 2 of my “guilt free vacation” and it was a pretty fabulous day. Out to brunch at Tulí Bistro with the whole family and then to the Matinee of the Sacramento Ballet’s rendition of Carmena Burana followed by dinner at friends (after squeezing in a quick run out to the airport to pick up the mini-van).

After hustling 2 tired kids home to bed (6 year olds really need their sleep while 8 year olds still bounce), I decided to put together my “keeping me up at night” list and send it off to my employee who is lucky enough to be me for the week. Writing this email required opening my inbox and frankly, I am not sure how I feel about the shot of adrenaline at 9 pm. On the positive side, I’m typing faster!

Day 1: Saturday	4
Day 2: Sunday	3 – Managed to limit the damage to about 60 minutes.
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Scale: 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts
10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts

I do have a few work related items that will encroach tomorrow. Feeling positive that we can get to near zero at some point during the week! Off to bed since it’s early to rise tomorrow. Hopefully my packing for travel expertise will come in handy in the morning.

Signed, “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation – Day 1

2010-03-27T16:49:00.001-07:00

Well, it’s day 1 of my “guilt free vacation” and things are going pretty good so far.

There are several work-related items on my list that are causing some guilt. I am debating whether or not I delegate them or do them myself.

My colleagues have been very supportive. We have agreed on a special SMS code to my non-work cell phone should I need to look for something which should all but eliminate the need to watch for the little red blackberry blinking led.

So on a scale of 0 = no guilt, no work thoughts, to 10 = high guilt, significant work thoughts, I give today about a 6.

Day 1: Saturday	4 – have to log into work email to delegate some “critical” tasks at some point before Monday morning.
Day 2: Sunday
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

I did get all of my hotel, rental car and activities reservations done though! Actually leaving town for vacation should really help in the “now work” categories.

Off to run some errands!

Signed, “Vacationing” Maven

Guilt-free vacation starts in less than 24 hours

2010-03-25T22:22:00.001-07:00

As you recall from a few days ago, I posted about vacation guilt.

Well, it’s Thursday night and my “guilt free” vacation begins tomorrow after work. It’s 5 days off work and 4 days of weekends.

I am planning on keeping a “work guilt” scoreboard of any work related thoughts or activities.

Day 1: Saturday
Day 2: Sunday
Day 3: Monday
Day 4: Tuesday
Day 5: Wednesday
Day 6: Thursday
Day 7: Friday
Day 8: Saturday
Day 9: Sunday

Right now I’m feeling guilty for thinking about my time off vs. doing late night inbox management. Fortunately I’m jet lagged from my business trip to UK so sleep deprivation trumps guilt.

I’ll post a list of guilt minimizers tomorrow. In the meantime, I have a feeling I’m going to need additional help with “guilt-free” tips and tricks. Please post yours!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
Maven

Vacation guilt? Girls, we have to get over it!

2010-03-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

I just ran across a link to the Expedia.com – 2009 International Vacation Deprivation™ Survey Results in this morning’s Pink Magazine ‘Mini Getaways” Newsletter.

Some of the horrifying highlights (Source: Expedia):

About one-third of employed U.S. adults (34%) usually do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year

24 percent – of employed adults check work email or voicemail while vacationing.

Men are more likely than women to take a 2-week vacation (12% men vs. 8% women). However, women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work (40% women vs. 29% men).

And guess what?? I am GUILTY AS CHARGED! I am planning to take next week off for spring break while my children are out of school. It’s only 5 days and I hope to role model a actually taking time off and skipping the guilt.

Stay posted and I’ll let you know if I come up with any musings on guilt reduction methods.

Wish me luck.

Feeling dubious, Maven.

Links:

Expedia.com Vacation Deprivation™ site: www.vacationdeprivation.com.

Need more ideas? Girlfriend Getaways: http://www.girlgetaways.com/

Subscribe to the Little Pink Book Newsletter: http://www.pinkmagazine.com/newsletter/subscribe.aspx

Personal is personal… don’t be confused

2010-03-10T21:33:00.001-08:00

In this day and age of the Blackberry, iPhone or name your flavor of smart phone, there is absolutely no reason to tell your boss about every non-work related item that you might need to take care of during work hours. And when are work hours anyway??

Many jobs are more structured but most corporate professionals “own their own” calendars and work whatever hours need to be scheduled to get the job done. With instant access to email, corporate IM on smart phones and more, being out of touch is a choice not a technical limitation.

So why do we still feel compelled to fill our boss and co-workers in when we have to go to the dentist or go to a quick parent teacher conference or run our grandmother to her doctor appointment? Stuff happens… we deal with it. While you are driving from point to point, you are probably on a conference call. When you arrive, you flip open your Blackberry and check for any urgent emails. While in the waiting room (waiting…) you log into IM and make yourself accessible for any quick questions.

As your boss, as long as I can get a hold of you in a reasonable amount of time, I don’t need the details and where you are. If I get too many details, over time those details start to “pile up” and even if your work has NEVER been impacted, doubts start to creep in. I start to wonder that if you are a teeny bit late on a deliverable that perhaps you’ve been out shopping for bonbons.

Oh, and don’t fill me in on your medical history during happy hour… I DON’T WANT TO KNOW!

Best, Maven

P.S. Maven Tip: If the personal stuff is out of whack, I’ll eventually notice…even if you don’t tell me. Keep it reasonable and ruthlessly manage your priorities and schedule.

Earn leadership stripes off the job

2010-02-28T22:41:00.001-08:00

I wrote a blog last April ‘09 called “Need a job? Use volunteering to gain leadership experience” that highlighted the opportunity keep your resume fresh even if you lost your job. I want to emphasize that taking volunteer assignments is not only a great way to prevent gaps in your resume but it is also an excellent way to network and we all know that more than 56% of all jobs are landed due to a referral.

Maven Quick Tip: Volunteer assignments can also be excellent for gaining leadership experience quicker and more easily that may be available in your every day job. No one is going to turn down free labor so volunteer for a position that is greater than your every day job scope. Give back to your community AND build your resume at the same time. It’s a WIN/WIN!

Beyond Fear to Power

2010-02-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

I ran across this quote again the other day when I was flipping back through the book "The Power of Focus" by by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Les Hewitt. Power of Focus is a book that goes with me pretty much everywhere, by the way.

To me, this quote is about looking inside and embracing one's true self. It is about moving beyond having our self-worth being based on things that are external. It is about shedding those things that hold us back. Enjoy.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love:
Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Buy this book
A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3 (Pg. 190-191)

Maven foray into mobile blogging

2009-10-07T09:14:00.001-07:00

I have managed to sneak over to Starbucks for my addiction, a Venti Green Tea Latte. While waiting for my drink, I decided to test the post by email option!

Unfortuantely for my blog, Starbucks is very efficient.

But the maven likes the idea of quick posts and perhaps this will increase the frequency of musings.

Have a fantastic day!
-Maven

How important is having a job you love?

2009-08-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, someone asked me to write a blog post about "How important is having a job you love?" I dutifully posted the topic to "draft" and moved on without a second thought (at the time). Recently, however, the stress of the economic situation vs. career needs and growth opportunities seem to be plaguing many. In fact many, who have been putting up with less than fulfilling jobs (likely because they figured that they could always find another one if they ever got really fed up) seem to be feeling trapped and panicky. There aren't a lot of options at the moment making their current situation seem endless.

We've all heard the famous Confucius quote, "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life. " So, how important is having a job you love?

Most of us corporate-types like to think that the work we do and the job we have has some sort of greater purpose or meaning. We work on our 30-second elevator pitches, we agonize over the title that gets printed on our business cards, we refresh and refine our personal brands, our colleagues become our friends, our workplace our social network. We spend most of our waking hours doing work related to our job (perhaps sneaking in a few daydreams of running a surf board rental shop on the beach, now and again). My high-school chemistry teacher used to say "Life isn't fun or fair, it's rewarding and fulfilling." So we seek reward and fulfillment... understanding that we should probably make yoga a priority (supposed to be good for fighting stress).

Many times we have a job because of what it enables in the rest of our lives (like paying the bills or piano lessons for the kids), not because it, in and of itself, satisfies or fulfills. For most, the reality of "a job you love" is simply a myth. So many people are without jobs at all and the possibility of not being able to meet the most basic needs looms large. No loving your job, especially right now, may feel strange, but it is what it is... if you don't love it, the current climate isn't going to change how you feel. How do you have a "life you love" when you have a job you don't love? Should you just be satisfied with the status quo simply out of gratitude for the job you have?

Maven advice for those who don't love their jobs:

Commit to the job you have and do it well. I call this moving into the house you have... and I do mean "move in," unpack, the whole 9 yards. As far as any and everyone is concerned, you are in the job to stay. Bosses, colleagues and employees can sense dissatisfaction even if it's never put into words. No sense "deep-sixing" yourself unintentionally.
Make a conscious list of how the current job is benefiting your overall life. Even the "worst" job I ever had taught be valuable lessons was grateful to have learned (although I wish I had learned in a much less painful fashion!).
Leverage the positives and think strategically. Look for on the job training opportunities that hone your overall skills long-term, build a stronger network, get a mentor (someone outside of your job area), train and mentor others, volunteer to work some percentage in a different area (as long as your core responsibilities are rock solid) that exposes you to new experiences and new colleagues.
Keep your network healthy. You never know when the next opportunity may arise. And perhaps this time you won't be so hesitant to go after it.
Remember, your job does not define who you are as a person. Search for fulfillment in other places. Focus on family, helping and staying connected with friends, hobbies, volunteering and giving back to your community; these are all ways to enrich our lives.

As a corporate maven (with a strong entreprenuerial streak), I cheat. And yes, cheating is allowed. I get all the benefits of a vibrant and fast paced corporate job, I try to give back to my community and I turn my (and my daughter's) hobbies into little side businesses to satisfy my "surf shop" needs. Why? I am clearly lucky enough to have a job I enjoy, but the job isn't "all" of what I enjoy in my life in general. My overall life is bigger than my job.

So, what's the maven "love your job" bottom line? It's more important to love your life than it is to love your job.

Should I sign off with a "Namaste"?

Best,
Maven

Highs and Lows: A Maven Day In The Office

2009-07-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

As I embark on a new phase of my career, I am filled with excitement and am anxious to prove my worth. However, days like today always balance triumphs with reality checks. Three days of hard work pays off in the morning. Riding high into the afternoon, what jumps out from behind a tree but something that fell between the cracks.

What to do? Maven tip? Try the 3 A's
ADMIT you let it fall between the cracks.
APOLOGIZE.
Take immediate ACTION to minimize any issues your miss may have caused.

I've capped off the evening by reading Dr. Suess' "If I Ran The Zoo" to my daughter. That makes me laugh.

Evening musings,
Maven

Don’t confuse effort with results: Turning the “To Do” list into “Done”

2009-07-06T17:24:00.001-07:00

As you may have figured out by now, I like to keep myself very busy. I had an interesting conversation with Fiona the other day about my "Task List" and how I manage it (Achiever being on my top 5 StrengthsFinder2.0 list). The conversation MIGHT have actually started with an inquiry as to where my next blog entry fell on said task list, but I digress. That said, it's an interesting topic and perhaps a few other people might want to wade in with their own thoughts and suggestions.

I am a self-described e-geek. I love technology of all sorts. Naturally, I have my Outlook task list which happily syncs with my smart phone (I'll leave reviews of task list software for another day). But sometimes, like before the flight attendant Okays use of electronic devices, I go back to paper. When I really have a lot of things in my head, the act of physically writing them seems to have the effect of helping me focus my thoughts vs. mentally trying to keep all the balls sorted in my head (sort of like Dumbledore and the Pensieve from Harry Potter). Well, you say, so now you have a task list on your computer and one on paper. How do you keep it all straight? Honestly, I don't keep it all straight all the time. I don't even bother consolidating the paper list to my online list in many cases. But I do look at it periodically throughout the week and make sure that I cross off the completed items. I also make sure I don't have duplicates (the computer wins on duplicate entry).

I personally make a distinction between appointments and tasks. For example, a task might be "schedule a doctor appointment." Once it's scheduled, it gets crossed off my list and moved to an appointment on my calendar. I wouldn't update or add a task to say, "go to doctor appointment" and leave it on the list. And yes, this does mean that managing your task list is a component of how you manage your time. I have to say, however, that I am constantly amazed how many things are actually "done" when I go back to recheck my task list. The act of capturing and organizing my task list almost guarantees that I'll take care of at least some of the items without a second thought.

Simple prioritization can really help make sure that the most important items get done. I have cited a reference from the Wikipedia page on Time management below but it doesn't so much matter whether you use A, B, C or 1, 2, 3; it DOES matter that you pick a prioritization method that works for you and that you use it.

Consider these Maven tips:

A task should be prioritized, have a deliverable, a tangible result. Ideally, it should have a due date as well.
Don't put entire projects on your task list. Projects are generally things that you know you are working on. They have their own timelines and tasks. (Besides, they'll be on your task list a long time. You don't really need that kind of subconscious pressure.) Do put individual project tasks on your list, especially if it helps you prioritize them against other items.
The length of your task list does NOT equal your value. What matters is getting results, it does not matter that you have "spent a lot of time working." Maven Mantra: "Do not confuse effort with results."
Live by the 4 D's
- Do it. Do make time on your calendar to complete tasks. If it can be done now (now = the time you allotted to do tasks), do it.
- Defer it. If it's not something that can be gotten to right away, schedule an appointment with your task list (name it if it "Spot" or something if it helps you justify the appointment) when it is more reasonable to get to it. (Your prioritization method will help you with this as well.)
- Delegate. You don't have to do everything. Once you accept a task, your responsibility is only to make sure it gets done, not to do it yourself.
- Delete it. Give yourself permission to purge items that are really not vital. For example, create list somewhere else for things you'd like to remember. I once had a category in my task list of books to read. Not really vital, more of a "don't forget you thought this might be interesting" item. I love to read so you can imagine that having these items on my task list was a distraction. And some things are just not going to get done. You have Maven approval to delete those as well. No sense taking the mental bashing.

End of musings for today,
Maven

Related posts: Running on Fumes (Wednesday, July 9, 2008 interesting, she muses… that was almost exactly a year ago)

REFERENCE: Time management, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Time_management&oldid=301264299 (last visited July 9, 2009).

Maven Reading: "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell

2009-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Corporate Maven recommended summer reading list contains one seriously MUST read for anyone who wants to understand how successful people get that way. Some amazing stories about hockey players, students, lawyers and tech geniuses like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Great insight for managers, parents & educators as well.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Have you read it? Post a comment!

Grooming matters so get "dressed" before you go to work (or interview)

2009-06-15T21:48:00.001-07:00

Great article yesterday on Dressing for job interviews in L.A. - Los Angeles Times. Even thought article says "in L.A." I found the advice to be applicable no matter where you live.

Careless grooming is a big Corp Maven pet peeve. In fact, I would advise that you read the article even if you are feeling secure in your present job. As much as we all strive for our "individualism" and don't want to take orders from "the man" (who ever that is), good grooming and dressing for success can make the difference between being considered for a promotion or being abandoned in your lonely cubicle. Even if the workplace is casual, there really is no reason for coming to work in board shorts and sandals... unless, of course, you get paid to surf (surfing the web does not count).

CareerBuilder.com writer Anthony Balderrama recently posted an article on cnn.com/living titled "What not to wear to work." Lots of good advice in this article as well. My personal favorite paragraph from Anothony's post:

"Don't get lazy
Once you've been on a job long enough, you can be tempted to throw on whatever's clean (or clean enough) and stumble to work. Employers don't stop assessing your work ethic once you pass your first-year anniversary. Your appearance is a constant factor in how others perceive you and your professionalism." -- Anthony Balderrama, http://www.careerbuilder.com/

Maven advice: Don't be afraid to stand out from the rest of the worker bees. Get "dressed" before you go to work.

A good time to start your own business?

2009-06-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

Seems to be the topic of the day... should I start my own business? Well, a lot of the experts are saying that yes, it is. Here are a few blog posts and articles from recent weeks:

If you are thinking about starting your own business, use these tips to avoid some of the most common pitfalls!

Need a job? Use volunteering to gain leadership experience

2009-04-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for that next career opportunity? Thinking of starting your own business? Just graduating and worried about how to get started in a down economy? Out of work or thinking of returning to the workforce?

Whether your resume is impressive or non-existent, you can gain real world, resume worthy experience by volunteering and community organizing. If you are out of work, it can be a great way to limit gaps in employment and to keep you skills current or even learn new skills that you can take to that next job interview. If you are entering the work force for the first time or thinking about reentering the job market after a long absence, being able to show real work experience is invaluable to that future employer.

There are hundreds of non-profits and community organizations bowing under the weight of the current economic conditions. The need for qualified and passionate volunteers has never been greater.

Need ideas?

Organize a local park cleanup in celebration of Earth Day
Call your local United Way for a list of non-profits in your area that might need help organizing upcoming fundraisers or other events.
Log on one of the many online volunteer opportunity websites such as Volunteers of America, VolunteerMatch or Volunteer.gov (which the government boasts has the most comprehensive listing of opportunities available).

Volunteer.gov search for opportunities links out to Network for Good. A quick search for opportunities within 20 miles of downtown Sacramento, CA rendered over 275 different calls for volunteers. Opportunities run the gamut from administrative assistants and photographers to donation coordinators.

Volunteer... keep those resumes updated!!

Related articles:

Laid off? Volunteer! Here's how and why

Community organizing never looked so good

Live From PBWC: Lynne Twist

2008-11-13T14:04:00.003-08:00

Author and Philanthropist

Not a dry eye in the house. Lynne talks about her inspirations in Ethiopia surrounded by 7 women who grieved together and honored all of their children who had died from starvation. It took 5 days night and day. All were uneducated. 4 of them have gone one to be attorneys and a government minister in ethiopia.

Reallocate the worlds wealth away from spending on fear towards love. Money is a tool, an instrument.

There is a myth of "more" ... How much more to we really need?

Women can midwife the birth of the future of how money can change the world.

What you appreciate appreciates.

Her book: "The Soul of Money"

Posted with LifeCast

Live From The PBWC: Naomi Tutu

2008-11-13T14:04:00.001-08:00

Keynote by Naomi Tutu, daughter Desmond Tutu.
Poem "The Pearl of Great Price"
It is not the times that are easy that you are the great person you are meant to be... It is at the hard times that the gift you are meant to be in the universe. You are a gift to the universe that the world needs. Our elders are here to help us bring for our gifts out. It is more important than ever to emphasis to our young people that they have the gift and they need to use it.

Posted with LifeCast

Live From The United Way Campaign Kickoff

2008-09-05T10:00:00.001-07:00

I am sitting in a room of more than 500 people from agencies and the local private sector as we kick off the 2008/2009 giving season.

Placer County Sheriff, Ed Bonner is talking about how services supported by United Way are positively impacting the lives of children and families in our region. He mentioned that we all know some who needs the 3 H's: Needs hope, needs help, needs hand.

It's grarifying that even on tough economic times to see support from so many in our community. There are more families and children in need due tough financial times.

I am proud to contribute and co- lead Women in Philanthropy with our focus on Foster Youth and am Looking forward to a great campaign!

See http://www.yourlocalunitedway.org

Posted with LifeCast

2008-09-03T07:34:00.003-07:00

Posted with LifeCast

Joining the mobile bloggers

2008-09-03T07:34:00.001-07:00

Well, this is an very small blog entry as it is being created on a small device - my iPhone 3G. I am enjoying this device for the most part. However, due to the fact that I wear nails long, speed typing is still sometime in the future. Getting faster all the time... But it does beg the question of why I would bother to try and blog this way.

Well, the truth is I love technology and am happy to see progress in content creation for small form-factor compute devices. The overall explosion of innovation around apps for iphone has been a true delight to see! Games seem to lead the way but other catagories are flush with useful tools. Some of the richer apps are extensions of existing content repositories and many have taken advantage of iPhone capabilities to enhance the experience. Urbanspoon does a fantastic job of this.

Have to get ready for work so signing off for now. More soon!

- Maven

Posted with LifeCast

Running on fumes?

2008-07-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I just read an article posted on Forbes Entreprenuer a few months ago by Maureen Farrell titled "How To Run On Fumes."

While focused on what do do when you have more on your plate then seems doable, the main take-aways were around the health factor and the importance of eating healthy, working out and sleeping (although apparently working out means you need less sleep).

In my experience, in addition to the healthy factor, there are a few things that really help.

Get focused. Figure out what in and what's out in your life and make the tough decisions. In my case, I was involved at a detailed level in several businesses. Getting focused meant I had to decide what my level of involvement was going to be and did I even need or want to be involved. One business was moved out of a storefront to completely online which dramatically reduced all kinds of distracting overhead (money and time) and significantly improving my ability to focus on other things.
Delegate. Employees can't grow and learn if you keep doing all the work. Or as I like to say, "No one can step into a spot you are already occupying." On the home front, figure out if you can get a housekeeper or use an errand service. These things are often much more affordable then you might think and they free you up to spend time on more higher value things. I have personally gone back to using a housekeeper and this has reduced my worry about the basics around the house tremendously. Now, if someone would only come in and do my laundry I'd be set!
Create routines and rituals. Wherever possible, create routines and socialize them with the appropriate people in your life. On the home front, having the kids go through the same bedtime routine at the same time every night greatly reduces the normal "run and chase" that is normally associated with the process. On the professional front, setting up repeatable tasks with assistants and employees starts creating good habits and make sure the critical things get taken care of without your constant babysitting. On the professional front, small rituals, such as 5 minutes listening to music and thinking of nothing, can greatly reduce stress and improve your feeling of well being.
Keep in touch with friends. For me, this always seems to be the first thing that gets "cut" from the list. I can't always do "girls night out" but I can keep in touch with friends thanks to technology. A quick cell phone call, a "how are you" SMS text message, and email or even a 5 minute IM session keeps me in touch and from feeling isolated from my friends.
Just let go. Give yourself a break. You can't do everything. Be sure to ask for help from others. Somethings are just going to have to slide... either cancel them or postpone them. But don't try to do it all at once. Sometimes laundry just has to wait.

"My purse was stolen from my gym locker..."

2008-07-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

I received the following email from a good friend of mine last week. She really provided some very important tips and tricks so I wanted to share it with everyone.

"Since I’m a big-believer in 'the power of information,' I wanted to send you all an email. My purse was stolen this past Sunday night at the 24 Hour Fitness in Carmichael. I had my purse in a locker with my pad lock.

While I was working out, someone cut the lock with bolt cutters and stole my purse. The purse was a Coach purse and I had my new Blackberry and blue tooth inside as well as Chanel sunglasses, a nice wallet, my keys, my checkbook, make-up, etc. No one saw anything and 24 Hour will not take responsibility for any lost or stolen items.

I’ve been dealing with getting everything cancelled and replaced for the last couple of days. Although I quickly cancelled everything, the thieves got a $500 charge on my debit card from a card room/casino in Citrus Heights. I will eventually get that reversed.

Please pass this email along to anyone you know. Thanks, Amber.

Few helpful hints I learned from this experience:

Don’t EVER lock your purse in a locker room. Locks can easily be caught. Keep your purse at home. Don’t lock it in your trunk either. They’re watching you do that.
Don’t carry your checkbook. I usually don’t, but I had just written a check for someone and kept it in my purse. I cancelled all of my checks and closed my checking account, but now the thieves can try and produce fake checks with my information.
Don’t carry your social security card in your purse. I’m pretty sure we all know this one!

If your purse is stolen:

Cancel your debit card, gas card, and credit cards immediately. I knew these 1-800 numbers by memory so it was easy to call. If you don’t know them, keep the numbers and account numbers handy at home. Remember to cancel other memberships (AAA, health insurance card, video rental memberships, etc.)
Write down everything you had in your purse.
Close your checking account if they took your checks. They have your account number on the bottom of the checks.
Turn your cell phone off.
File a police report! If there ever is identity theft, this is your proof that your items were stolen.
Call the three credit bureaus (see below) and place a fraud alert on ALL bureaus. Even if they tell you they’ll alert the other bureaus for you, call anyhow. They will contact you if someone tries to apply for credit in your name. I’m going to get the Lifelock monitoring ($10/month) on my identity so I’m notified of every inquiry, and I can check my credit reports at any time.
Credit Bureaus:
Experion 800-397-3742 Experion.com
Transunion 800-680-7289 Transunion.com
Equifax 888-766-0008 Equifax.com
Take sure you have an extra set of car keys and that someone has your house key. I was able to call my friend Katie to come pick me up since she has my house key.
If you’re a homeowner, you have homeowner’s insurance for this kind of stuff. If you’re a renter, get renter’s insurance! It’s only $25 or $30 a month. This incident is covered under my policy, so I will get some costs replaced. Keep receipts for big purchase items (purse, phones, sunglasses, etc.). This makes the value of items easier to prove.
Keep your old cell phone if it still works. I had my old phone in a drawer and was able to activate it yesterday at no charge. Now I can wait until I get some insurance money before buying a new phone.
KEEP NOTES about everything you cancelled, replaced, the name of every single person you talked to, the date, the phone numbers, account #’s, claim #’s, etc. I have a notebook with all of this information in it.
If they took your house keys, get your locks changed.
Go to DMV and get a new license.
Count yourself lucky. It could have been worse. I’ve dealt with some “not-so-great” people these last couple of days, but I’ve also dealt with some really kind, compassionate people that helped me quickly. "

Why women quit technology careers (article and commentary)

2008-06-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Article Link: http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=319212&pageNumber=1

Maven Commentary:
The Athena Factor study finds that having a mentor or a sponsor is a key factor in order to stem the flow of technical women away from their chosen careers. I do agree with the assessment that this is important, however, I think that it is equally as important for women to take a page out of their brethren's bible (so to speak) and make sure they are well and purposefully networked. Mentors are a vital part of that network but should not be the sole connection.

What stands in women's way of strong networks? Mostly themselves. The tendency to form or desire close personal relationships with mentors and others in their networks tends to limit the perceived options. The belief that they have limited things to give in return further complicates things. Moving beyond the need to be BFFs (Best Friends Forever) and understanding that they have many things to give in return opens up many more options.

Maven simplified categories of who should be in your network:
Colleagues - People you work most (current and former)
Mentors - People who take an active part in helping you develop your career
Recommenders - People with whom you've done business (i.e. clients or vendors) who would recommend you to others, should you ask
Champions - Influential people who will actively champion you to their networks, advocate for you, let you know of opportunities and open doors

Branch out. Do not be limited to workplace only connections. Some of the most important connections often come from the least expected places.

What I'm reading… "The Joys of Much Too Much"

2008-06-04T16:46:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading the book The Joys of Much Too Much: Go for the Big Life--The Great Career, The Perfect Guy, and Everything Else You've Ever Wanted by Bonnie Fuller.

If you are looking for a checklist or the recipe of exactly what to do, this book isn't for you (in fact, you'll probably hate it). However, if you are looking for inspirations and a few key nuggets, I'd highly recommend this book.

I'm not going to post a spoiler but there were some very interesting takeaways. Bonnie doesn't break her life up into roles… she just treats her life as one big thing. She really advocates keeping and staying very active, ignoring the negative messages and insecurities, not worrying about psycho-analyzing character flaws, etc. There were lots of examples of the importance of networking, tips for everything from interviewing to creating proposals.

It's a very easy read and I found it to be a very interesting view of the life of a woman who simply embraces her whole life 24x7… no excuses, no apologies.

Travel Tip 1: Packing light... Dealing with the liquids

2008-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more difficult then packing when you are going on a business trip, whether it is for 1 night or 2 weeks. Especially if you are like me and you don't want to have to check your bags. When carrying on, not only do you worry about the 3-1-1 rule for liquids but your bag can only be a certain size to go through the security scanner and fit in the over-head bins.

In my job, I am out on business travel 70-90% of the time. I can't even guess how many miles I flew in 2007 and 2008 is on track for more of the same. I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks that I've developed along the way.

Today's tip is about Dealing with the liquids:

Leave the shampoo and conditioner at home. I haven't been in a hotel in the world that doesn't provide at least shampoo and 9 out of 10 provide conditioner as well. If you have longer hair or hair that requires a conditioner, get a spray-on, leave-in conditioner and transfer it into a small bottle. A 3 oz bottle will hold enough to last you more than a week.

Get travel sizes of everything. Almost any personal care product can be purchased in travel size. I use an aerosol hairspray (normally purchased at the local beauty supply) and have found that I can pick a small size up even at the grocery store in a pinch. A small size toothpaste can last a week or more as well. If you are gone longer, take two. It's suprising how many small bottles you can fit in a quart-size bag.

Deodorant solids and other solids don't need to go into your 3-1-1 Ziploc bag. Things that are not liquids, don't need to go into your Ziploc bag. If you usually use a gel deodorant, switch to a solid. You may be able to do this with other products as well. For instance, instead of a liquid styling cream, talk to your hairstylist. You may be able to get the same results with a solid styling wax or similar product.

Use the zip-top bag. You get at least an extra half inch of space because the zipper lays flatter then the non-zipper type.

The TSA has thoughtfully provided a comprehensive list and a quick perusal can save a lot of headaches.

I think you'll be amazed at how much space you'll save. It might even be enough for that extra pair of shoes!

Adjusting the sails...

2008-05-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

I heard this quote yesterday and I thought is was never more relevant.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward (American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)

Latest Catalyst "Women in Technology" report published

2008-02-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Well, the latest Catalyst report came out last week it seems that women are preceiving things in high-tech are getting better.

Still a lot of barriers though. Some barriers are products of the environment, some self created. Mentoring and networking still show up on the list as an important way for women to get ahead.

Read the full report.

Portable technology... good or bad?

2008-01-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'll admit to laying in bed with the flu while writing this blog. "You should be resting!" Well, for me, this IS resting and a bit boring. The nice thing about computing while lying down is that when you get tired, you just close your eyes. This doesn't work so well in the office.

I was in Vegas last week at a conference and a gentleman in the elevator commented on my BlackBerry (which I was using at the time... well sort of... there is no signal in Palazzo at Venetian elevator). "Everybody is using those things. Can't get away from the email." Admittedly I was a little irritated because his comment seemed to imply that was a negative thing. So I said, "Well, to me it's freedom. It's work hours and I'm out and about vs. tied to my computer. What's bad about that?"

And so I mused... was this true? was this how I actually felt? Yes, actually it is. Freedom. Able to be in touch at a moments notice. Able to respond (or ignore...) instantaneously. No longer tied down to a desk or a hot spot. Able to go to that hard to schedule appointment in the middle of the day. Look up "who was that actor" to solve disputes over drinks with colleagues. Text message with your kids. There is a long list! How cool is that?

OK, so I admit, using it on the golf course when you are with your boss is probably completely unnecessary. If your boss isn't there, then it's understandable!

At the end of the day, I firmly believe moderation is the best policy... so if you are in need of BlackBerry guidance, I recommend the Ten BlackBerry Commandments.

Initial Musings

2008-01-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have lots of musings but for some reason they never make it into my various blogs so I thought it was time to just create a spot for my short thoughts and observations. Enjoy.