uranium ore supplier

Toward a Kinder, Gentler Workplace



We've seen the best and the worst of human nature surface in 

the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And I'm still working toward 

that kinder gentler nation I've been pondering since last week. 

Like many businesswomen, you've probably experienced and been 

bruised in the rough-and-tumble mostly male-dominated field of 

commerce. Before the hurricane hit, I'd just finished reading 

Hal Urban's book, Positive Words, Powerful Results: Simple Ways 

to Honor, Affirm, and Celebrate Life. Urban's words seem even 

more relevant now, and I re-read his chapter on words in the 

workplace yesterday. It's titled "Supportive Words Boost Morale 

and Results at Work." Here are some of his "do's" and "don'ts" 

for managers, which, in my mind, apply across the board, even 

if we're independent operators (think of the  other 

independents, and suppliers and vendors you work with). 

Employees do appreciate words of recognition and reward. Do ask 

them for their input, and about their families and activities. 

Do make your expectations clear, and offer encouragement and 

confidence. Criticism should be constructive and given 

behind-the-scenes. Don'ts include gossip, strong public 

criticism, complaining and negativity, filthy and angry 

language, threats, talking down, and yelling and screaming. 

Urban's list should go without saying. Then again, maybe it 

needs to be said—or not said, as the case may be.

Get to Bed!

With a hectic schedule and so much work to be done, it’s so easy to short-change ourselves on sleep.  Just another hour or two will put us ahead of the game tomorrow, or so we think.  Studies have shown a good night’s sleep to be an vital element in weight loss, cognitive abilities, attitudes, and our health in general.  When we’re tired, we get frustrated and angered more easily and find ourselves less able to cope with the stresses of the day.

There’s often so many projects to be done, I find I have to force myself to stop for the night.  Sometimes implementing a simple routine helps the mind and body relax and prepare itself to be renewed through sleep.

Start the routine at the same time each night.  It could include a warm bath and a good book, a music CD, a radio program, a cup of hot tea, and some soft pajamas.  Do everything in the same order each night, and you’ll find yourself finally beginning to unwind.  Avoid television programs with fast images and late-night exercising.  These activities can keep your mind and body from resting.
 
Take some time to enjoy the evening.  Snuggle with your children and read them a story.  Lay in bed and talk with your husband about the day.  It’s all right to stop and start again tomorrow -- the work will still be there, and with a good night’s sleep, you’ll be ready.

 

Public Speaking Not Public Freaking

Some women are confident speakers and have absolutely NO fear when it comes to public speaking.  On the other hand, if you are like me, you quake and shake at the mere thought of standing in front of others and giving a speech or presentation!
 

Chances are your speech won’t be oft quoted or remembered by millions like Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech or Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”, but here is a few tips to give you the opportunity to give the best one that you can.
 

- write and rewrite the material in your speech till it sounds good to you.  Use everyday language that your audience will understand.

- try to limit your use of statistics.  Stats can be a sure-fire way to put your audience to sleep or at least give them the yawns, so keep them to a minimum.

- use descriptive phrases, not unlike book readers, audiences respond well to work pictures

- humour is a valuable tool.  It can drive the point home or simply keep their attention.  Just make sure the humour you use is appropriate for both your topic and your audience.

- read your speech out loud several times to hear what it will sound like to the audience.

- while giving a speech, remember its not a race, slow down.  People tend to speed up their speaking while nervous.

- practise relaxation techniques such as deep breathing

- hand outs or overheads are always a good thing,  Visual aids help your audience to remember seeing as well as hearing.

- remember to be an appreciative speaker.  Always thank your audience for their attention.
 

These are just a few pointers on speech making and hopefully they will assist you with it.  The most important thing is to relax and just be you.  If you are confident, smiling and relaxed, you will be fine.

Y2K Redux



Just when I thought my Y2K-type thinking was over, it surfaced 

again in the wake of Katrina. I found myself mulling over the 

need to stock up. Here where I live at the Colorado foothills 

of the Sangres de Cristos Mountains, doing business requires 

more than a dollop of planning ahead. The basics, like supplies 

and equipment, are a constant challenge. Take supplies: I need 

to be ready for the printer cartridge to run out in the middle 

of a big project, because the nearest replacement is two days 

away via UPS. Oh, I could call around locally, but even then, 

the nearest supplier (and that's if the item is in stock) is 

one hour away by car—not very convenient when you're trying to 

get a project out in the mail in two hours. So, local 

businesswomen are no strangers to stocking up, always having at 

least one back-up printer cartridge, copier toner, ream of 

paper, or phone battery on hand. A typical office features a 

shelf, wall, or nooks and crannies filled with back-up 

supplies. And before heading out to the nearest bastions of 

civilization and supplies (the towns of Alamosa to the south 

and Salida to the north), we make sure to check in with each 

other and ask, "Do you need anything?" Equipment repairs are 

another hurdle. If the copier stops copying or the fax machine 

stops faxing, it's often easier and cheaper to order a new one, 

rather than arranging for a service call. Right now, 

everything's humming away in my office, but I think I'm down to 

only two reams of copy paper—time to check out my supply nook.