This year I was selected to participate in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute‘s (GDMLI) Community Leadership Program (CLP). This is a HUGE honor. CLP is Central Iowa’s premier and longest standing leadership program.
Approximately 50 participants are selected for each class (There were over 400 applicants this year!). Selection is made on the basis of individual merit and demonstrated leadership abilities in the areas of community involvement and level of career responsibilities. The nine-month program is designed to raise awareness of the needs and challenges that affect the region, and enhance leadership skills with a focus on community stewardship.
Orientation and the opening retreat took place a few months ago and now we’re well into the swing of our 5-hour long class room sessions which take place every third week. Small groups are required to participate in service projects of our choosing throughout the year. Our entire class as a whole is also working on a larger community project. I’m co-chairing the Marketing/Logistics Committee for our class project this year, so I’m extremely excited!
I look forward to sharing with all of you what I learn about myself and my community during this program. I’ve already met so many amazing people!
I’ve been preparing translations for several years and I continue to be amazed by the number of organizations who use free, web-based text translators for professional translations in their business. To demonstrate why professional, human translators are superior to free online text translators, I’ll show you the difference.
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What is the soul of your business?
I created Contemporary Business Solutions because I saw a disconnect between the needs and wants of employees and employers. Having been unemployed for the majority of 2009, I had the opportunity to learn about the unemployment situation firsthand. Employees, for the most part, want full time jobs with benefits. In this economic climate, employers can’t hire full time employees, but they have loads of work that needs to be done. I was also seeing that many folks who were laid off were starting their own businesses. They were frustrated because they couldn’t devote the time they wanted to their new business because they had to do all of the other “stuff” associated with running a business. Unfortunately, they weren’t yet in a position to hire a permanent employee.
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Many of you have heard of the “Google Reader”, but how many of you know what it is and are actually using it to save time in your busy day?
What is it?
According to Google, the Reader constantly checks your favorite sites and blogs for new content, whether they’re updated daily or monthly. It shows you all of your favorite sites in one place utilizing RSS feeds. The only way I can stay current on the 30 blogs I read is by using my Google Reader. Google Reader works on any mobile phone browser and can be accessed from any computer with Internet access.
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Most people would agree that thoughtful behavior and common decency are in short supply, or simply forgotten in hurried lives of emails, cellphones, and multi-tasking. In Choosing Civility, P. M. Forni identifies the twenty-five rules that are most essential in connecting effectively and happily with others. In clear, witty, and, well…civilized language, Forni covers topics that include:
* Think Twice Before Asking Favors
* Give Constructive Criticism
* Refrain from Idle Complaints
* Respect Others’ Opinions
* Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame
* Care for Your Guests
* Accept and Give Praise
Amazon Book Description
Honestly, I really struggled with this book. The fact that an adult business book focuses on the Golden Rule of “do unto others…” makes me very concerned for our society. Maybe it’s meant to be a refresher on the topic?
I learned most of the “rules” outlined in this book from my parents, family and friends when I was growing up as a child and throughout high school and college. I was encouraged to put myself in situations where I could put these “rules” into practice. Are individuals growing up without learning these basic tenants of civil society?
There are a few instances in this book where the author describes how one could deal with situations in which we are surrounded by those we perceive as inconsiderate. So, that’s helpful. But again, what he suggests is also common sense.
Have you ever read this book? What are your thoughts?
The National Social Media Club (SMC) is a 501c6 non-profit, member owned organization, and the world’s largest community of Social Media Professionals, with a reach of over 300,000 people with local chapters in over 300 cities.
SMC and our local Chapter are organized for the purpose of sharing best practices, establishing ethics and standards, and for promoting media literacy. Our community is made up of people and organizations who care about social media and come together to discover, connect, share and learn.
As a local Chapter we have committed to organizing, at a minimum, monthly events for our members. Which will include an educational component, directly followed by a social component and then an open board meeting. We invite you to come for one component or come for all. We would love your feedback on event ideas and other ways SMCDSM can be a resource.
Click here to learn more about our October event next week.
In addition to free membership, there are various levels of paid sponsorship available for both individuals, small businesses and larger organizations. If you are interested, just let me know.
We literally wouldn’t exist without our sponsors. This is something new for the Club as we move forward. To become an official Chapter, we are required to produce a certain dollar amount in sponsorship funds to defray the cost of legal fees, filing paperwork in Iowa, etc. Our small business sponsors who have made this financial commitment include Dwolla, One Social Media, Spindustry, Lessing-Flynn, CatchFire Media and Two Rivers Marketing.
2009 has just been one of those years. Laid off in February after working at a company for almost 6 years, laid off again in August after working for 2 months with a start-up…I decided that it’s time to try something else.
The idea of starting my own business had been sloshing around in my head for a couple of months, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that I wanted to do. As this year has been one of “self-discovery”, I created a list of what I like to do and what I’ve been told I do well.
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entrepreneurship and innovation!
Having been though a tough year myself, being unemployed and all, I can relate to this statement. Going into business for myself had been in the back of my mind for a few months- not just in the back of my mind, but also staring me in the face! While networking to find a job, I had others tell me that I should start my own business. Note to self: When several peers and mentors give you suggestions, give them some serious thought.
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I recently came across a new concept for what it is that I do – Employee Leasing. I think most people can relate to this term; if not, let me explain.
I work as a contractor providing specialized services and administrative support to businesses who have work that needs to be done. I share the client’s goals and succeed when they succeed. What are a few of the main benefits of leasing an employee versus hiring someone as a permanent part of your staff?
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