Its not what you say, its how you say it.

I recently attended a presentation on what should have been a very interesting subject, but while I was sitting in my seat I could feel my eyes begin to close, and I thought to myself if only his voice was not so monotonous! I

Immediately I began to think about what really draws someone to listening in a presentation such as this? INFLECTION. That was my answer.

Whether it be giving a presentation, or talking on the phone. Listening to someone drone on about their company or even their capabilities gets very tiresome. Adding variation in the tone of your voice at appropriate time will draw the listener in; engaging them to the task at hand.

Most jobs are very relationship driven. There is the relationship between employer and employee, employee and client, client and company, colleagues etc. Therefore, it is important to develop a solid relationship with those you work with on a daily basis. Try to see things from their perspective. This requires clarifying goals, devising mutual expectations of each other, assessing your own strengths and weaknesses and compatibility issues with your boss. Try to see the task at hand from another’s perspective and see if you can do something to make their and your jobs easier, this could keep some of the storm clouds from running in when stress levels become elevated.

Phone Screenings

An interview can be one of the most stressful parts of the job process, but it doesn’t have to be. The phone screening can be one of the most telling ways of a potential candidate’s aptitude for the position in question. Be ready for your phone to ring at any time, and the screening can last anywhere from 10-15 minutes depending on your answers and fit for the job.

Think of an interview as a showcase of your skills and talents. Be open and honest about your skills, hobbies and education on the subject matter at hand. Keep in mind that the most important thing you can do during a phone screening is to listen without interrupting the speaker, answer all questions positively, and speak clearly.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a National Holiday which is dedicated to remembering all those who have died in military service. Let us remember the courageous people that have given their lives while fighting for our freedom.

GPS, Leading the Way

I have never been one to have a good sense of direction, but with the new technologies available people could be making it to their destinations with fewer wrong turns.

GPS systems are getting more and more advanced. They can give you an estimated time of arrival based off of real time traffic, readjust if you make a detour to give you different directions, it can give you a list of restaurants, shopping plazas and more so that you can find the most convenient one to your location and so much more.

I was reading an article that GPS systems may even become a standard in some models of cars starting in 2009! Next time you take a business trip or a family trip, think about whether an investment in a GPS system could help you in the long run.

Drive Safely

Cell phone use while driving is illegal in many states including but certainly not limited to: New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, and New Jersey. Even if you are not in one of the states where cell phone use while driving is not illegal, please be careful this Holiday Weekend to ensure everyone gets to and from their destinations safely.

Happy Friday!

As I was driving this morning, I thought about all the things I do on a daily basis. Some minor, and others major, nonetheless when things do not go the way I intend…I get discouraged. At sometime in your life you’ve probably heard the line “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” This advice was passed down to me from numerous people, and was a popular line in the movie Miracle on 34^th Street.

I believe that the secrets to success stem from this line. You will not always get things right at first, but perseverance and hard work will ultimately pay off, it just takes time.

So, try not to blame others, take full responsibility for your actions in all areas of your life. Be bold and do the things you never thought you could, so that when you reflect on your life later you do not regret anything. Take care of the ones you love, because they will be there to take care of you.

Have a great start to the weekend, I’ll be checking in with you again before it is over!

Smile!

Everyone likes to feel comfortable in their surroundings, wherever they may be but that is not always easy. So when you’re passing someone in a hallway or on a sidewalk feel free to smile kindly at them.

Your response suggests an understanding, and empathy that could turn their whole day around, and without a doubt will make you feel great as well!

Leasing...a computer?

So, you've probably heard about leasing cars, but have you ever thought about leasing computers? Leasing your computer equipment from a company such as HP or Dell could allow you to return it at the end of the lease for newer equipment. This would allow you to be on the cutting edge of technology, and they could manage reusing or recycling it.

Power Management

Power management is another way to help the environment and help your business save money in the long run. The most important thing to do is check your electrical appliances: scanners, copiers, computer monitors, and printers to see if they are equipped with the power management feature that turns off the power entirely, or switches the system to a lower power state when it is inactive for a certain period of time.

Power management is good for prolonging the battery life of portable systems, reducing cooling requirements which ultimately reduces noise of electronics. It also means reducing operating costs which saves money and reduces the impact on the environment.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting in the form of teleconferencing and telepresence uses new technologies to help enforce green initiatives. The use of this technology has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to travel, increase worker satisfaction, increase profits by allowing a company to lower overhead costs such as office space, heat, air conditioning and lighting. See if you can replace any unnecessary travel by telecommuting? You'll be helping the earth's sustainability if you do.

Find out how your lifestyle is impacting the earth by checking out your ecological footprint here!

Energy Star

In 1992, the EPA initiated the Energy Star Program, to promote and recognize energy efficiency in monitors, climate control equipment, office equipment and other technologies. The result of the Energy Start Program was a “sleep mode” installed on all newly produced consumer electronics.

Homes and companies across the world have been helping the green computing initiative by using the following approaches: virtualization, power management, low performance computers, power supply, storage, display, materials recycling, and telecommuting.

Stay tuned for how these approaches are being implemented and what you can do to help turn your home and business green!

May 17, 2008

Some days, it seems as if the phone is ringing off the hook. A number of outside calls come from call centers. People working in a call center call your house for a number of reasons. Some are calling to promote political candidates, others to promote a new line of goods or services. Anyone who has ever answered the phone has helped in some way add to the knowledge behind running an effective call center. This knowledge is what drives the industry. So what does that mean for information technology?

Along with “context data” used to decipher different elements that could affect a person’s mood such as weather, time of day, location etc new software is being developed to help call center managers.

This is new quality-control software. Call center managers are only able to listen to a few calls per agent each month. This means that implementing a type of “word-spotting” software will allow managers to monitor agents much more closely because they provide insight into what the caller thinks about particular products. Key phrases are picked up by the software, which then keeps track of the agents who get the desired key words or phrases from they person they are calling. The caller’s response in vocabulary and tone to advertising campaigns, publicity stunts etc. are also helped by this technology to find different approaches of selling the goods or services.

It’s amazing to know that in so little time, so much is discovered about one’s personality whether it be accomplished by actual people or new software technologies.

May 16, 2008

The phases of project management can be introduced into the lives of every person, for a multitude of tasks.

For example, the vacation we took is an example of a common occurrence of project management in our everyday lives. Good project management is by far the most productive way to accomplish tasks. First you need to define what the object or thing to be accomplished is, then measure the impact and give alternative suggestions, analyze what can and should be done to minimize impact, improve on areas that are weak, and control the end result to always be moving in the forward direction.

Take time to assess your own life. See if you can apply these steps to save both time and energy!!