Would You Answer This Ad?

I found this to be a hoot when I opened this e-mail out of curiosity.

All I saw was the "subject" line and the first two lines of the note, then I launched into a full-bellied laugh.

The ad you read between the double lines is exactly how the note was formatted...punctuation, capitalization, and all. The only change I made is to omit the actual phone numbers and add the note on the last line.

Would YOU answer this ad for a degree, of all things, after reading their command of the English language in the subject line?

Think about this one the next time you look at a resume or online job candidate that notes an advanced degree from some un-trackable institution.
=============================
Subject: Is your skills about to expired?

WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
We provide a concept that will allow anyone with sufficient work experience to obtain a fully verifiable University Degree.

Bachelors, Masters or even a Doctorate.

For US: [Toll-Free Phone Number Omitted for Privacy]
Outside US: +1 [International Phone Number Omitted for Privacy]

"Just leave your NAME & PHONE NO. (with CountryCode)" in the voicemail.
Our staff will get back to you in next few days!

[No signature or identifying organization was in the note.]
=============================

Office Pool: "Innocent Betting" a Legal Rather Than HR Issue

With "March Madness" on the horizon, and other reasons for those "innocent" pools where betting occurs throughout the year, a question arises whether these pools are legal. We won't get into whether they are moral; that's for a different power to decide. While you may see no harm in these voluntary bonding activities, your business or workplace is at risk.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

Five-Diamond Customer Service (Hospitality Industry)

This is a true story about my good friend, speaking colleague, and mentor Gregg Gregory and a Marriott Hotel in Atlanta, GA. This is success language in action. What a positive work ethic!

(Bill Marriott's blog and a 9-minute YouTube video of Gregg telling his story of a personal loss and the above-and-beyond service he received.)

Online "People Skills"

Have you ever thought about your online etiquette and manners as "people skills"? I've heard it said that the more connected we are technologically, the less connected we feel face-to-face. People skills are interpersonal skills we typically use in face-to-face interactions, like listening, speaking, leading, making decisions, and the like. We use these skills when we are online, also. How? Well, read Kevin's full explanation of "How to Have Better People Skills Online".

 

Summary of the seven tips for how to have better people skills online:

1 - Become interested in your visitors and other bloggers.

2 - Use your online smile.

3 - Use people's names whenever possible.

4 - Be a good online listener.

5 - Talk about other people's interests.

6 - Make people feel important.

7 - Show sincere appreciation.

 

Want to learn more about improving your - or your staff's - people skills, online or in person? Sign up for monthly learning opportunities at Subscribe2Succeed.com.

English - Which Language Is It, Anyway?

An interesting article about English and its many forms. I'm not sure
how I feel about this yet considering how against the whole "eubonics"
issue I am. While this is not eubonics, it still counters the whole
"speak proper English" or "speak English properly" mantra in which I
grew up and on which I write and speak. As a late-night talk show host
used to say..."Things that make you go 'hmmmmm'".

(Byline)
"English has always been a sponge language. Since it was written down
in the year 700, it has adopted words from Norse, French and Latin,
among others. English now has up to 700,000 words--more than almost
any other language, according to Chambers".

Link to the full article is:
http://www.thestar.com/article/480965

Generational Diversity: Who Manages Whom?

An aspect of success language is that "everyone" (across generations in an organization) speak the "same" language...or at least understand each other. We can only do so by seeking to understand each other. OK, so perhaps we learn to accept each other and figure out how to deal with each other's uniquenesses.

 

My podcast on "Generational Diversity: Who Manages Whom?" touches the tip of the iceberg in terms of the four generations in the workplace today. The program description and link to the MP3 for you to download or listen to online is: Have you noticed that articles and seminars typically note "managing Millenials" (otherwise known as Generation Y, born between 1980-2000)? What came to mind was, "Why is it that Millenials need to be managed? Why not Boomers or Gen-Xers?" Today's segment explores four generations in the workplace, identifies many of their uniquenesses, and offers suggestions on working together more effectively.

 

URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thinkaboutit/2008/06/30/Regular-Weekly-Broadcast-of-Think-About-It#

Tim Russert Accolades: Lessons on Work Ethic and Values

Here is a bit of a different "take" on the media storm surrounding the life and death of Tim Russert. It is a downloadable MP3 file (half-hour recording) with some lessons applicable to the workplace based on Mr. Russert's character and characteristics.

 

Tim Russert Accolades: Lessons on Work Ethic and Values

 

Program description: Tim Russert, moderator for NBC's "Meet the Press", died suddenly of a heart attack at age 58 on Friday the 13th (6/13/2008). Media coverage throughout the ensuing days consisted of accolades for Mr. Russert from around the world. Words consistently centered on his work ethic, values, and attitude. This segment turns Tim Russert's frequently-mentioned attributes into lessons on how we can be viewed and remembered in our workplaces, businesses, and lives.

MP3 - "Stress for Success: ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!"

Primal scream! "This is due in an hour and I haven't started yet." Does this sound familiar to you? It does to me (including preparing for this program segment). We say we're stressed quite often. But what does "stress" really mean? Curiosity about this much-used term led me to do some research on stress that I reveal in this program...as well as some coping tips.

 

Download and listen to my segment on "Stress for Success: ARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!! "

One of my weekly "Think About It!" broadcasts. Host: Sylvia Henderson

Tips Sheet: "Ten Ways to Make a Good Impression"

Since success language is largely about the behaviors and attitudes that encourage positive perceptions of you, the following tips sheet serves as a one-page reference to remind you of what is important to creating a good first-impression.

The points covered in the tips sheet include:

1. Handshake.
2. Attire.
3. Conformity.
4. Grooming.
5. Presence.
6. Body language.
7. Speech.
8. Language skills.
9. Conversational skills.
10. Representation.

Tips Sheet: "Ten Ways to Make a Good Impression" , by Sylvia Henderson

(One-page PDF)

Tips for Managing Your Career in Fierce/Tight Job Market

Here are ten tips from CareerBuilder.com editor Kate Lorenz.

[Full article at AOL.com - Jobs (2008_0415 Article)]

 

My "Success Language" program and tools address the skills you need to be successful at tips number 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 directly.

Embracing success language actually enables you to be successful at all of these in terms of presenting yourself positively, adopting the "right" attitude, expressing yourself well, and being your own "leader of one" (a term I use in my programs).

 

1. Be the best you can be within your profession.

Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.

 

2. Brand yourself.

What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?

 

3. Network constantly and consistently.

Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.

 

4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable.

Being included in a database isn't enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.

 

5. There has been an increased use of freelancers.

As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.

 

6. If you are out of work, form a "consortium"

with other professionals where you can complement each other's skills and offer services to clients.

 

7. Embrace change.

You don't want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.

 

8. Prepare for an evolving job market.

Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.

 

9. Your resume is your own personal advertisement.

Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.

 

10. Candidates whose backgrounds don't match client credentials or job requirements won't get much attention.

Pay attention to the employer's specs or job posting and respond accordingly.

Success Language: Quotes

• Card 1
  “When two people do not communicate clearly with each other, then what is in their brains and in their hearts might as well stay inside.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 2
  “When we see or hear a message repeated frequently enough, we eventually remember and believe the message.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 3
  “You cannot allow language skills to languish if you are to communicate successfully.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 4
  “Words should be a continual source of learning.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 5
  “Reject the norms and behaviors of people who keep you from succeeding, and rise above your current mental, emotional, and physical comfort levels.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 6
  “You can choose to allow those closest to you to keep you from achieving your success, or to help you achieve it.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 7
  “If there is an ‘us’ to be like, be like the people who have achieved or are working to achieve the success you want.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 8
  “It is in how you interpret your wins and losses that contributes to your interpretation of success.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 9
  “Work at discovering your own personal truths, and create your life to achieve the success you seek while being authentic to yourself in the process.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 10
  “The road to success is not limited to or bound by an identity.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 11
  “When you succeed at maintaining an attitude that is positive and success-oriented, you create change that ultimately leads to achieving the success you work to achieve.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 12
  “Work constantly at shutting out the negativity you see, hear, and absorb.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 13
  “Say an affirmation out loud to yourself frequently and regularly. Doing so helps you take action, adjust your attitude, and eventually achieve what you set out to achieve.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 14
  “Initiative. Thoroughness. Caring. Diligence. Commitment. Passion. These words describe the concept typically considered to be a strong, positive work ethic.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 15
  “I have determined that the lower the level of self-esteem and the less powerful one feels, the more a person needs to publicly prove themselves to distract from their own insecure truths.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 16
  “Your attitude is contagious. People tend to respond in kind to the way they are approached.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 17
  “The respect you give others is a reflection of the respect that you deserve.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 18
  “The person who is viewed as the one who goes the extra mile will most likely be the one who gets to go farther and climb higher to succeed.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 19
  “Little of what you do is in a vacuum in which the results you achieve are based solely on what you alone do.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 20
  “You will be surprised how many situations you can neutralize by maintaining your own even temperament.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 21
  “A label is something other people—usually jealous, frustrated, angry people—give you. If you reject the label, it does not become yours.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 22
  “However you choose to give back to others, it must be and feel right for you. Let no one else determine for you how you will help others.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 23
  “Ask yourself if you would cross the street, clutch your wallet, follow yourself in a store, or roll your eyes and whisper about yourself behind your back if you were a stranger looking at you for the first time.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 24
  “The ‘stuff’ you carry with you tells on you.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 25
  “Dine like a successful person with successful people, and you start to feed off of their success.”
  - Sylvia Henderson
• Card 26
  "Establish a reputation for respecting time and being prompt, which will encourage those who know your reputation to be on time themselves.”
  - Sylvia Henderson

Success Language: Mini Lessons and Quotes

Success Language Card Deck.

Author: Sylvia Henderson.

Publisher: Mem-Cards.

A complete deck of 26 reference cards (quotes and immediate lessons on success language) for table-top or pocket reference.

ISBN #1-932197-04-4.

Each card is a quality, glossy card with a quote on one side and an immediate lesson on the other. Use these cards separately or in conjunction with Success Language programs. They can be quick references for you to remember salient points. They can be discussion points from which to move into longer, deeper conversations within small groups (or around the family table). Carry them with you or keep them on your desk for points of inspiration and motivation when you need them.

Available from www.SuccessLanguage.com or from Amazon.com

Success Language: Defined

Several definitions of "language" include: (1.) Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols. (2.) A system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules used in communicating. (3.) Such a system including its rules for combining its components. (4.) Such a system as used by a nation, people, or other distinct community. (5.) A characteristic style of speech or writing.

Definitions of "success" include: (1.) Achieving something desired, planned, or attempted. (2.) Favored or desired outcome. (3.) To turn out well.

A merged definition for "success language" from the above is: "A system of signs, symbols, gestures, rules, or combination thereof, as used by a people, community, or group, to plan, attempt, or achieve a favored or desired outcome."

This definition is the basis for success language. Success language is a way to communicate who you are and what you are all about. Success language encompasses behaviors and attitudes that enable you to achieve what you set out to achieve. Success language programs, tools, and other resources provide guidance, lessons, and systems that facilitate successful outcomes for individuals and organizations.

Discover, explore, and embrace the language of success and share what you find here with others. Give - and receive - the gift of "success", however you define it for yourself. "Success" is an individual, personal experience and attainment for each person who seeks to create it. What you find here is a road map that gives you choices. You choose the routes to follow, the directions to take, the vehicles with which to travel, the stops along the way, the scenery you wish to appreciate, and the destinations for which you aim.

Happy journeys!