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Laura Benjamin's Online Magazine

LAURA'S LETTERS ONLINE MAGAZINE
Laura Benjamin Int'l Inc. is a veteran owned
woman owned small business based in Colorado
##########################################
Vol. 8, Number 10 - Aug 27, 2007
Editor: Laura Benjamin
http://www.LauraBenjamin.com
Published continually since 2000
Copyright©Pinehurst Press Ltd., 2007

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IN THIS ISSUE:
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1. Teamwork Quotes
2. Resilience
3. Networking Tips
4. Internet and Website Tips
5. Discussion Point: Dress Code Violations
6. Complimentary Resources
7. Shameless You-Know-What
8. The Grand Finale

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1. TEAMWORK QUOTES
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"Everything should be made as simple as possible.
But not simpler." (Albert Einstein)

"I do not pretend to know what many ignorant men are sure of."
(Clarence Darrow)

"I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving
praise and closing with an exception." (Sir Richard Steele)

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway."
(John Wayne)

More quotes at www.LauraBenjamin.com/teamworkquotes.htm

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2. RESILIENCE
=========================================
Whether you're developing a disaster plan, facing change or
recovering from a crisis, we can all benefit from learning
how to "bounce back" a little quicker. Here are tips that
might come in handy:

-Build your infrastructure with tiers of "Plan B" options.
That way, if one doesn't work, you can move laterally.

-Teach people how to think and shift gears as new develop-
ments unfold. Board games like "Monopoly" can help since
you draw cards that require new strategies.

-Resilience is the opposite of "victim thinking". When
you see yourself as a victim and believe people are doing
it TO you, you give up responsibility for your own welfare.
Encourage your folks with no-threat brainstorming sessions
using (ta daa) my C.A.R.L.A. Concept to:

C: Clarify the challenge or change you face
A: Brainstorm the actions you should take
R: Quantify the results you then achieve
L: Anticipate the lessons learned
A: Develop another approach for the future

Reading recommendations on this topic:
-Edge of Disaster by Stephen E. Flynn
-Survivor Personality by Al Siebert

GOT A STORY ABOUT HOW YOU'VE BECOME MORE RESILIENT?
Please send it to me via my contact form and it may end up
(with your permission) in my forthcoming book, "C.A.R.L.A.
in the Crossfire: How to Build Resilience in Changing and
Uncertain Times". I'll begin interviews in September for
those with compelling stories.

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3. NETWORKING TIPS
=========================================
Tips from my "Networking Know-How" summer seminars for Air
Academy Federal Credit Union Employees:

WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE? Get your own 50 min. audio CD
on "Networking Know-How" at LauraBenjamin.com/cds.htm

-Work on your handshake. It may seem like a no-brainer,
but few know how to do it well. Practice on a friend,
ask co-workers to try it out at your next team meeting
or include it in your next leads meeting.

-To make better eye contact, look the person in the eye
deeply enough to notice their eye color. Some of us would
struggle to remember if that new guy we met even had a
mustache or not.

-Introverts make good networkers too. They often spend
more time with each person rather than "work the room".
Longer, sincere conversations may make a more positive
lasting impact than the "speed networking" that seems to
be popular these days.

-Ask more, tell less. It's amazing how easy it is for
you to tailor your response to others when you learn a
bit more about their interests first.

-Bonus Tip: When you send the handwritten thank you note
(ahem) try to include a resource that will help the other
person (restaurant tip, interesting book to read, etc.)

-Bonus Rant: There's a lot of time, energy and money
spent trying to improve company reputations in order to
attract clients or top talent. Wanna know one of the best
ways to improve your reputation? Return phone calls and
be nice enough to reply to emails. Common courtesy goes
a long way.

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4. INTERNET AND WEBSITE TIPS
=========================================
A Scottish survey has found that employees say email is the
biggest cause of stress in their workday. Some report they check
their inbox up to 40 times per hour, causing a big drain on
productivity and leaving them tired, frustrated and distracted.
Experts suggest a simple strategy: check email less often. Most
recommend scheduling 2-3 times per day unless you expect to
receive something requiring immediate action.

-----------------------------------------
WANT TO ATTRACT MORE VISITORS TO YOUR WEBSITE? Now is the time
to invest your energy into creating content-rich sites. Based
on a four-year analysis of the Internet Activity Index issued
by Online Publishers Association conducted by Nielsen/NetRatings...
-Content visits have seen a 37% increase in share of time from
four years ago. Consumers now spend 47% of their time with
content compared to 34% four years ago.
-The primary role of the Internet has shifted from communication
(those who use the Internet primarily to send/check email or
instant messages) to content (articles, reports, studies, etc.)

HOW TO GET CONTENT FOR YOUR SITE? If you like to write, get a move
on and let the muse set up camp with you for a few weeks of intense
article writing. The better the article, the more visitors you'll
get. Suggestion: avoid the cotton-candy type articles that many
template sites promote as a way to attract buyers. Fill yours with
current research data, quotes from experts and personal stories.

Another approach is to ask subject matter experts for permission
to reprint articles from their website. Don't forget to give them
full credit and include their attribution box which may be at the
bottom of their article. (Please contact me if you'd like permission
to reprint the articles on my website.)

Lastly, do a Google search on "article directories" and you'll find
tons of places that offer articles for reprint at no charge. Again,
author attribution is the right thing and the nice thing to do.

-------------------------------------------
TIPS FROM MY 'WEBSITES FOR NON-TEKKIES' SEMINAR FOR THE COLORADO
AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION:

-Title the files of your website pages with keyword phrases. Avoid
using words like "home", "what we do", or "about us" as file names.
This is different from the page name similar to the difference
that might exist between the subject of your document and what you
type in the "save as" field when you save it.

-You may be happier with results long term if you take the time to
learn how to build your own site rather than a template site. Why?
Because they often limit you to the number of pages, keywords, etc.
It's not a bad way to begin, but as your needs increase, you may
have to start from scratch once you're ready to stretch your wings.

-Avoid copying websites within your industry. It's amazing how many
of us think that just because our buddy's business is doing well,
that we should mimic the format of his/her site. Peruse sites from
other industries to get a broad picture of what's possible. There's
too much inbreeding within trade groups, association members and
occupational industries which makes it hard to distinguish yourself.

WANT MORE WEBSITE TIPS? Get my Audio CD Set on how to get your site
to the top of the search, website tips for non-tekkies, etc. at
LauraBenjamin.com/cds.htm

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5. DISCUSSION POINT #9: DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS
=========================================
A short discussion module to improve interpersonal communication
between co-workers, assoc. members, family and frontline leaders

I read an article recently on office dress code guidelines
that was very informative. It highlighted the proper standards
for women and men and admitted it's more difficult for women
to know what's appropriate since we have more variety in our
clothing styles than men do.

What I noticed, however, was the disparity between the article
guidelines and the stock photo's the magazine used on both the
cover and to highlight other feature articles. On at least two
pages were photo's of women with very low-cut necklines.

So, I asked around to see if this was a problem in local
companies and - guess what? - it is! The bar has been lowered,
so to speak, on what we allow female workers to wear into the
office. Is it possible that the men don't mind?

Organizations that have very strict rules about what male
managers wear seem to turn a blind eye (pun intended) towards
the ladies who come to work dressed as though they're headed
for an evening out on the wild side.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: So whaddya think?
-Is the scenario above an aberration or does it exist in your
organization?
-If so, why is it allowed to exist?
-Do male managers struggle with asking female employees to
dress more professionally? Why?
-Is what we're seeing at work predictable given increasingly
"different" dress standards our young people display?
-Is there a benefit to posting pictures of before and after
shots to give people clearer guidelines than just a policy?
-What message does your organization send to visitors, new
employees, shareholders, etc. when they get an eyeful?

Let me know what you come up with. Next time maybe I'll
pick on the men. Don't get me started on spandex!

=========================================
6. RESOURCES
=========================================
LAURA'S LATEST COLUMN is on "Networking Basics". Find it on my
homepage at LauraBenjamin.com under "In the Press"

WORRIED ABOUT BRANDING? You may breath a sigh of relief after you
read "Brand Hijack" by Alex Wipperfurth. His premise is that it's
not necessary to plan out everything in detail, but pay attention
to how your customers make your products and services their own.
Rather than define and mkt. a narrowly defined brand, allow enough
flexibility for them to co-create with you. Consumers are getting
wise, cynical and skeptical of so many mktg. messages and we're
good at filtering them out. To capture interest, find ways for
your customers to participate.

FOR MORE GREAT INFO ON BRANDING, visit BrandAscension.com for
their newsletter, articles and ebooks, "The 6 Myths of Branding"
and "Getting Your Employees on the Brand Wagon".

GOT A SMALL PROJECT? FEELING OVERWHELMED? Listen to a complimentary
audio program by Dr. Dan Price as he covers the in's and out's of
small project management. Find it at LauraBenjamin.com/shows.htm
THEN don't miss his full day public seminar Sept 13 in Colo Springs
"Managing Small Projects". Registration deadline is Sep 11th at
winning-ways.com or call Dr. Price at 719-685-2474. I'm sure he's
also open to bring this seminar to your group upon request.

=========================================
7. SHAMELESS YOU-KNOW-WHAT
=========================================
My Situational Leadership® certification is complete. Contact
me if you own a site license and need a facilitator, you want
to add this program to your assoc. professional certification
process or offer it at an upcoming conference. Since I live
in Colorado, this is very convenient for Colorado based
organizations or Colorado bound events.

Audio CD script writing and coaching, Innovative Financial
Management, Michael Cecere, President, Colorado Springs CO

Christian Meeting & Conventions Assoc., website strategies,
member communication and association mktg. strategies

Author mktg. for Linda Seger Th.D. author of "Making a Good
Script Great", "Jesus Rode a Donkey", "Web Thinking" and many
others. Contact Linda for book signings, seminars and talks on
spirituality at lindaseger.com or jesusrodeadonkey-thebook.com
(Yes, we've agreed to disagree on our political views)

Sept 12, Author reading & audio recording for the blind, Denver

Oct 10, Colo. State Pupil Transportation Association Board mtg.
Educational session with association meeting planner and Board
on website strategy and membership communication efforts.

Oct 11, Colo. State Pupil Transportation Association
Conference, Florissant CO, "Teamwork: There IS an I in Team"

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8. THE GRAND FINALE
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If you get good value from the information in this newsletter,
please send it to friends, family and co-workers.

-You received this newsletter because you requested it
-We will not distribute your contact info to third parties
-If you ever want out, please follow the directions below
-You have permission to reprint this newsletter or articles,
with attribution please (reference LauraBenjamin.com)

The lawyers asked me to add this disclaimer: Laura Benjamin
International Inc. is not responsible or liable for actions
resulting from anything contained in this newsletter. Articles
contained within are not to be interpreted as legal or medical
advice. Laura Benjamin is not a lawyer or therapist.

Warm regards and Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Laura Benjamin, writing from Colorado