Looks like the earthquake that just shook central Canada is bringing out our good ol’ Canadian humour. Here are a couple good ones!
@spacing - There has also been a tsunami warning for the G20 fake lake. #earthquake
@kylemcinnes: Ottawa government buildings evacuated. Productivity unaffected. #earthquake
@LGaucher: #earthquake - water in the office was trembling Jurassic Park styles
@mlse The earthquake in Toronto was just thousands of England fans jumping back on the bandwagon. #worldcup
@philippec Quebec is finally separating!
@ivortossell: Widespead disappointment across Toronto at news that it was not, in fact, the epicentre of the quake.
@MuchMusic: it's ok @justinbieber is safe guys #earthquake
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Fresh Ideas for fundraising drives
Every year I participate in at least a couple of fundraising drives for Charities that are close to my heart. I’m also asked to donate regularly from my friends and family or participate in the campaigns that are close to their heart. And while I’d like to give money to everyone, sometimes it is just not feasible.
It made me start to think about how to successfully reach out to my friends and family when I’m looking to support my cause. It’s likely that most of these people are being contacted often to give money, so how can I stand out and show them that my cause is worth it?
Mitch Joel at Twist Image makes a great point that while using social media tools to get your message out there is a great strategy – it can sometimes be a lazy way of communicating. Blasting out form emails, or linking to your fundraising page on your Facebook or Twitter is probably not going to get you any extra dollars. Mitch has some great tips/ideas on how to make your efforts stand out, and hopefully reach your friends, family and colleagues with a stronger message. Click here for more of his great ideas.
It made me start to think about how to successfully reach out to my friends and family when I’m looking to support my cause. It’s likely that most of these people are being contacted often to give money, so how can I stand out and show them that my cause is worth it?
Mitch Joel at Twist Image makes a great point that while using social media tools to get your message out there is a great strategy – it can sometimes be a lazy way of communicating. Blasting out form emails, or linking to your fundraising page on your Facebook or Twitter is probably not going to get you any extra dollars. Mitch has some great tips/ideas on how to make your efforts stand out, and hopefully reach your friends, family and colleagues with a stronger message. Click here for more of his great ideas.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Are you a multitasker?
Over the weekend, The New York Times profiled a family of multitaskers who consume technology in just about every aspect of their lives. In, Your Brain: Hooked on gadgets and paying the mental price, Matt Richtell explores the new reality of multitasking. He takes a closer look at how reliance on technology to enhance our lives, might be having a significant and adverse effect on our brain. Experts suggest that multitaskers have a low ability of being able to focus, and that the use of technology is intensifying this.
“A study at the University of California, Irvine, found that people interrupted by e-mail reported significantly increased stress compared with those left to focus. Stress hormones have been shown to reduce short-term memory, said Gary Small, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles.”
Working in a client focused business, being a multitasker is part of the job description. While this is a trait that I pride myself on, this article is making me take a step back to evaluate what it really means to multitask. Am I concentrating on the right things, and the right times? Am I always giving my full attention to the task at hand?
While I do still see a lot of value in being able to juggle many things at once, I have to wonder about whether it’s the right strategy all the time. Like most things in life, the key might be moderation. Taking some time each day to shut everything down, and concentrate on that pressing issue, or project that needs to get off the ground, might not only ensure I’m doing my best work – it might also help my brain and my memory. I can’t argue with that!
Click here to test to see if you are a high or low multitasker, and to test your ability to focus.
“A study at the University of California, Irvine, found that people interrupted by e-mail reported significantly increased stress compared with those left to focus. Stress hormones have been shown to reduce short-term memory, said Gary Small, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles.”
Working in a client focused business, being a multitasker is part of the job description. While this is a trait that I pride myself on, this article is making me take a step back to evaluate what it really means to multitask. Am I concentrating on the right things, and the right times? Am I always giving my full attention to the task at hand?
While I do still see a lot of value in being able to juggle many things at once, I have to wonder about whether it’s the right strategy all the time. Like most things in life, the key might be moderation. Taking some time each day to shut everything down, and concentrate on that pressing issue, or project that needs to get off the ground, might not only ensure I’m doing my best work – it might also help my brain and my memory. I can’t argue with that!
Click here to test to see if you are a high or low multitasker, and to test your ability to focus.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Appropriate Work Attire
Dominating media over the past week is Debrahlee Lornzana's wrongful-dismissal suit against Citibank. It has sparked much debate over policy regarding appropriate office attire, workplace sexual harassment and double-standards. If you've somehow missed this story, the basics are: Debrahlee Lornzana, a New York City business banker, believes she was fired for distracting her male colleagues with her looks while Citibank claims she was dismissed due to her performance.
There was a good online discussion about this on the Globe and Mail's website earlier today.
As a young female professional, I can understand that it's not as standard of a process when shopping for work clothing compared to that of males (collared shirt, dress pants and tie). I can also relate to the fact that much of the trendier female fashions out there are shorter, are more form fitting and may not be suitable in a corporate environment. I have seen other females wearing clothing to work that made me think, 'Really'?
In the end, I think it all boils down to good old common sense. If you work in a corporate environment such as a bank, you are expected to dress in-line with the corporate culture. This ties into branding, respect and an overall sense of professionalism. You can express your fashion personality further outside of the workplace. If total freedom of dress is really important to you, then I would look into more flexible work environments.
I pride myself on incorporating a bit of flare into my everyday wardrobe, but it can still be done subtly.
One of the suggestions in a Globe and Mail article yesterday was for employers to offer coaching about dress code to incoming staff, not after a problems arise. This could be a beneficial, proactive approach. If this option is not available, I would suggest looking at what types of clothing fellow coworkers are wearing.
There was a good online discussion about this on the Globe and Mail's website earlier today.
As a young female professional, I can understand that it's not as standard of a process when shopping for work clothing compared to that of males (collared shirt, dress pants and tie). I can also relate to the fact that much of the trendier female fashions out there are shorter, are more form fitting and may not be suitable in a corporate environment. I have seen other females wearing clothing to work that made me think, 'Really'?
In the end, I think it all boils down to good old common sense. If you work in a corporate environment such as a bank, you are expected to dress in-line with the corporate culture. This ties into branding, respect and an overall sense of professionalism. You can express your fashion personality further outside of the workplace. If total freedom of dress is really important to you, then I would look into more flexible work environments.
I pride myself on incorporating a bit of flare into my everyday wardrobe, but it can still be done subtly.
One of the suggestions in a Globe and Mail article yesterday was for employers to offer coaching about dress code to incoming staff, not after a problems arise. This could be a beneficial, proactive approach. If this option is not available, I would suggest looking at what types of clothing fellow coworkers are wearing.
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