Cindy Seip, Director of Book Design
Born with a crayon in one hand and a camera in the other, Cindy Seip has never ventured far from her creative instincts. Through the years, her creative side took hairpin turns but always finished with a checkered flag.
As an “A+” student in art, it was her 12th-grade art teacher, Mr. Popovitch, that set her on a professional course in design, introducing her to the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute. There, she would earn her degree in Advertising Design.
She began her career at the Miami Herald Tropic Magazine and later started her own design + underwater portrait photography business.
Over the years, Seip has amassed an impressive client list with some high-profile names like Sony, Nasdaq, Ericsson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AvMed, Miami International Book Fair, Breakthrough Miami, and many more. Her accolades reflect her keen eye for design.
Seip resides in sunny Miami with her husband, Miami Herald Photojournalist, Al Diaz, two great kids, and a cute Wheaten Terrier named Amanda Bubbles.
By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Authors, Millennial Momentum
Everyone knows the Millennial Generation (born 1982-2003) is obsessed with electronic media—video games, social networking, and MP3 players. But few recognize that this obsession extends to books in ways that are both saving and transforming the publishing industry.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 8- to 18-year old Millennials spent 43 percent more time interacting with various forms of media in 2009 than they did in 1999.
Yet during this period, almost half (46%) of the Millennials surveyed spent at least part of their day reading books, a percentage that remained steady throughout the decade. Even as computer usage quadrupled for these teens and tweens and video-game playing more than tripled, books remained of interest to a generation often accused of being more interested in texting than writing, and more likely to use an iPod than a Kindle.
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January 25, 2011, PR Newswire — “If there’s one thing that every small business can benefit from at one point or another,” writes PR Newswire columnist Grace Lavigne in an article entitled, Small Business PR: Unique Goals and Challenges.
“But it definitely takes a different approach to help a small company or ‘solopreneur’ than it does a larger firm,” says PR specialist Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president of Inkandescent Public Relations. The trick, says Gibbs, is to help clients avoid what she calls the “Trifecta of Small Business Failure,” which is when they have one of these three attitudes.”
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Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, Annapolis Capital — Our Life Coaching expert Amy Steindler was featured on the front page of the Business section of the Annapolis Capital today in an article entitled, “Annapolis woman quits Wall Street to help others.”
“Looking back, Amy Steindler can admit that she knew a finance career wasn’t for her, even before the market tanked,” writes reporter Shantee Woodards. “The Annapolis resident had been caught up in the prestige of being a wealth adviser, but knew she wanted to do something more creative. So Steindler quit her job and spent more than a year re-evaluating her life.”
Inkandescent’s Hope Gibbs is also interviewed.
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Jan. 7, 2012, Money Watch — “Do you view HR as the enemy, doing recognizance for Corporate? Or do you see your HR rep as Michael Scott did Toby—someone who tries to suck the fun out of the office?” asks CBS’ Money Watch reporter Amy Levin-Epstein. “While human resources teams can often lubricate sticky work situations and help build strong office relationships, they’re often viewed less generously by staff.”
But what is the most challenging part of the job? Epstein asked Inkandescent PR’s client Sharon Armstrong, co-author of The Essential HR Handbook.
Nowhere is this more clear than in the comments section of a story I posted a few months ago, 4 Things Never To Share With HR. But is such distrust really warranted? How do HR folks themselves view their position on the corporate ladder, and the criticism they might face? I asked four career experts — all former HR professionals — about their past professions (the good, the bad, and, at times, ugly). Here are their candid responses.
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October 31, 2011 — “Dylan Gibbs Raised $2,150 for the Life is good Playmakers — and you can, too!” is the headline on the Life is good Playmakers blog, that appeared as today’s entry.
Click here to read that. Or click to read more to see the entire entry, inside.
To learn more about the Life is good Playmakers, check out our interview with Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, in the September issue of Be Inkandescent Magazine.
And learn more about the creation, philosophy, and long-term goals of the Boston-based Life is good Company by reading our interview with co-founder, Bert Jacobs, our September Entrepreneur of the Month.
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In a December 2011 article for Parents.com, reporter Linda DiProperzio writes about how interfaith families across the U.S. celebrate the winter holidays.
“One thing that can make the process easier is discussing with your spouse what each of you would like to do to celebrate your respective religion during the holidays,” she explains. “Whether it’s decorating the house or attending services, work out all the details well before the season begins.”
When interviewed, I told Linda about our way of mixing my Jewish roots with my husband Mike’s Catholic upbringing. Linda shared:
Hope Katz Gibbs, a mom from Arlington, VA, makes sure her house is decorated for both Hanukkah and Christmas, and isn’t afraid to combine the two. “Our tree is decorated with popsicle-stick ornaments in the shape of Jewish stars,” she reveals.
Click here to read the entire article.
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October 1. 2011, Annapolis MD — Inkandescent Public Relations is thrilled to have partnered with Art at Large, Inc., a graphics and public art company based in Annapolis, MD, on the fall 2011 Get Your Joy On Annapolis marketing campaign.
In addition to helping with project management, hiring photographers and videographers, and assisting Art at Large’s president Sally Wern Comport, Inkandescent PR’s Hope Gibbs helped write the text that appears on the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau website, www.visitannapolis.org/get-your-joy-on.
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Congratulations to illustrator Michael Gibbs, whose artwork appeared today in The New York Times.
The article entitled, “Chasing Opportunity in an Age of Upheaval,” discusses the fact that while a series of extreme events in global financial markets this year have shaken investors’ confidence, some are maintaining his strategy of investing in undervalued companies.
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We close 2011 with words of entrepreneurial wisdom from Alan Webber, the co-founder of Fast Company magazine, and our December Entrepreneur of the Month.
Webber is the author of, Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self. He insists: “The time has come to rethink, re-imagine, and recalibrate what is possible, what is desirable, and what is sustainable. It’s time to rewrite the rules.”
That wish is our command. Our columnists, all experts in their fields, know that before you can break the rules, you have to master them. So click around the articles on the Inkandescent homepage to view their insights, including advice from:
- Financial whiz and author Herta von Stiegel, who shows us how we can climb to new heights by facing The Mountain Within.
- Rachel Renée Russell, author of the bestselling young-adult series, “The Dork Diaries,” and our Truly Amazing Woman of the Month. After a nasty divorce, she rewrote the rules of her life and landed on the New York Times bestseller list—three times.
And consider this quote from the Talmud, which Webber offers in the introduction to his book: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.”
Here’s to writing your own perfect set of rules! Happy holidays to all. We’ll look forward to talking to you more in 2012! — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent Magazine
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — The holiday season afforded me a moment of downtime, allowing for the opportunity to review and critique 2011, take a deep breath, and think about what’s coming in 2012.
I am excited about what I see coming this year. Even though fears of an ongoing recession, and increased government regulations, will keep spending for meetings and events at reduced levels, innovation and creativity will rise to new levels.
Here’s what you are likely to see at the most successful affairs of 2012.
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — Attention everyone who works with or in government-funded programs: Rather than focusing on what you want or need—let’s ring in 2012 by bragging about your expertise.
It’s not easy, I know. Government-funded programs are being challenged like never before to create a new mindset and to be innovative in their problem-solving.
Public housing programs are no exception.
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — Ah, the new year. That dreaded time when we all sit back and reflect on what we really want to accomplish in the coming months, knowing full well that it will quickly be forgotten.
If getting in shape is your goal, however, do not despair.
You can eat better, and exercise more. So let’s dust off that sit-up machine that has been sitting in the corner of your bedroom, and get to work!
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — “Every moment’s a ‘what’s next,’” says well-known yoga and meditation teacher Rod Stryker.
I like this idea, especially as my clients and I ruminate on what we’d like to manifest in 2012. To me, the advice is as logical as this perfectly simple adage: You are what you eat.
Originally written in a 1983 essay entitled, “Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism,” Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote: “Der Mensch ist, was er isst.” That translates into English as, “Man is what he eats,” insisting that the food one consumes has a bearing on both state of mind and health.
What does breakfast have to do with determining what’s next?
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January 2012, Be Inkandescent magazine — This year, like all others, I have a New Year’s resolution: I want to focus more on getting publicity for my business.
Writing this column is one example of this strategy, which I started in 2011 and plan to continue in 2012. I’ll also be adding additional outreach efforts to get in the news, expand my network, and increase my visibility so that more people know about my service.
Why does this work? Because I have chosen one thing in my personal and professional life to really focus on. If I keep it up, and stay dedicated, odds are very good that it will bear fruit.
But there is a problem. If I fail to be consistent, and let other aspects of my business and personal life interfere with my goal—I won’t accomplish it. That’s not news to you. But you may benefit from my strategies for persistent single-mindedness.
What can you do to ensure you stick with your New Year’s resolutions?
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We kick off 2012 with an interview with Reebok International’s president, Uli Becker, our January CEO of the Month.
Responsible for the Reebok brand’s business around the world, Becker has since 2008 been at the helm of the U.S. branch of the firm owned by the Adidas Group. The German-born athlete has big plans on how he and his team will keep the company in its place as an industry leader. Here’s a hint: CrossFit. Scroll down to the feature to read more.
What will it take to help you stay on top of your game in 2012? Here are a few ideas to run with:
- Exercise will make you smarter. “It’ll also make you stronger, healthier, and could help you grow your business,” says Harvard professor John Ratey, author of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Click here to learn more.
- Exercise will make your kids smarter, too. Kathleen Tullie, the head of Reebok’s nonprofit, BOKS Kids, knew that from observing her own kids. But after reading Dr. Ratey’s book, she was inspired to start an organization that Reebok has invested a few million dollars in to help parents and teachers in schools around the country get kids moving through before-school programs. Click here to learn how to become part of the revolution.
- Consumers are shifting how they spend their money. Reebok is one company that is paying close attention to this trend. How can your organization adapt to the shift? Futurist Andy Hines offers insight in ConsumerShift.
Also in this issue:
- This month we also have the honor of interviewing Maria Aguilera, our Truly Amazing Woman of the Month. Since 2007, she has battled a rare form of cancer. She shares the source of her strength as she embarks on the new year.
Here’s to kicking off 2012 with fresh and fabulous ideas, well-considered resolutions, and much joy!
— Warmly, Hope Katz Gibbs, Publisher, Be Inkandescent Magazine
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By Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais
Trend Trackers, Authors
Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America
In 1987, as the oldest members of the Millennial Generation (born 1982-2003) were entering kindergarten, the groundbreaking television show, Thirtysomething, began its Emmy-award-winning, four-year run.
The one-hour drama focused on eight Baby Boomers struggling with the conflicting demands of work and family as the generation known for its rebelliousness attempted to settle into the culture and routine of suburban life.
January 2012 marks the date that these “first Millennials” will be 30 years old. For the next two decades, America’s most populous and diverse generation, defined in its teens and 20s by its penchant for social networking and sharing, will enter the phase of life when the choices dramatized in “Thirtysomething” will become central to their generation’s persona.
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Aside from “What do you do?” how do you approach people at a networking event?
Click “read more” to view my top 3 ice breakers—openers that work like a charm when I’m trying to make connections at events. They may be the trick you need to ease your way into a meaningful conversation, too.
For an incredible list of events that you might want to attend, check out hundreds of networking events in 7 east coast cities at www.inkandescentnetworking.com.
Woof!
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Those of us in the event planning industry are particularly impacted by the tumultuous economy, ongoing budget cuts, and increasingly strict government regulations.
That said, this just gives savvy event planners more opportunity to expand their value to their clients, increase their services, and hone their skills when it comes to meeting customer needs.
The real news is that despite the upheaval, the basic rules of the industry haven’t changed. And those of use who have made a career in planning have long relied on these standard codes of conduct.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), I take comfort in knowing that there is one single thing I can count on—that the processes, techniques, and strategies are constantly evolving, and what Google and other search engines look for on websites today most likely won’t be what they are looking for a few months from now. While this may seem unnerving to some, the truth is that this constant shifting and morphing in the industry helps Web-surfers find the best results they are hunting for. Think of it as the Zen of the Internet.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You know the sound of fingers scratching across a chalkboard? Well, you may consider the topic of lobbying to be just as obnoxious and annoying, based on the recent media coverage.
There is much more to the profession than the negative stories portrayed in the media. And there are those of us who do without the media coverage or the campaign money—and succeed in lobbying for federal programs or projects.
The reason why is this: Our role as government relations professionals is to facilitate, to teach, to research in-depth, to collaborate, and to advocate.
Despite the growing amount of money going into political campaigns, I strongly maintain my niche in advocating based both on the credibility of my clients and their projects; and, on my credibility in providing successful outcomes. However, my target audience for developing solutions has shifted predominantly from Washington, DC, to the local community level.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — After 20 years of studying, playing in, and analyzing the sporting world—soccer specifically—I can tell you from the bottom of my cleats that becoming one of the best in any field does not happen by accident. It is a combination of drive, attitude, opportunity, and plenty of hard work.
It’s true in sports and business. And while there is no exact formula for success, there is a path that you can follow to reach your full potential on and off the field.
Here are three rules that I believe are imperative to achieve success in any profession.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — “In February 1968, the Beatles went to India for an extended stay with their new guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,” writes Philip Goldberg in his book, American Veda, a fascinating look at India’s profound impact on Western culture. “It may have been the most momentous spiritual retreat since Jesus spent those 40 days in the wilderness.” [Photo of the Beatles by shutterstock.com]
Indeed, for we are living at a time of a profound awakening of consciousness that is changing the world. Much of that awakening is due to the influence of Indian spirituality, and its practical applications in our everyday lives.
If you are one of the estimated 20 million Americans who practice yoga, if you meditate or have taken advice from Dr. Dean Ornish or Andrew Weil, the ancient Indian teachings are already part of your life. In fact, the ancient texts of India have shaped our understanding of the mind and body and are dramatically changing how we view ourselves and our place in the cosmos.
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By Andrea Keating
Founder and CEO, Crews Control
January 2012
When I first met Herta von Stiegel (pictured right), I knew instantly that she was special.
The founder and CEO of the Ariya Capital Group, a Gaborone- and UK-based fund management firm focusing on sustainable investments in Africa, is an international executive who has held senior positions at Citibank and JP Morgan.
She is also the woman who in July 2008 spearheaded a trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with 28 climbers—seven of them disabled. Against incredible odds, 60 percent of the group made it to the summit—remarkable, considering that only 35 percent of climbers typically achieve that goal.
The Mountain Within is the book that came from the experience. It bears the name of Herta’s award-winning documentary, which vividly tells the emotionally charged story of the climb that changed her life.
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December 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Despite an unemployment rate hovering around 9 percent, record numbers of people are leaving their jobs, according to the The Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May, almost two million Americans quit their jobs voluntarily, up 35 percent from January 2010.
It seems clear that a lousy economy is no longer a good enough reason to stay in a lousy job—and a new generation of entrepreneurs is seizing this moment.
Before you jump off the corporate ladder, however, take a moment to consider some important facts.
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In the spirit of play, and learning while you have fun, here’s a 7th grade science project that’s sure to make you grin.
Observation/Research: Lawn chairs look pretty light, and aren’t too hard to pick up. So it makes sense that a bunch of helium balloons can lift one off the ground.
Hypothesis/Prediction: It will 100 helium balloons, blue with green strings, to lift a lawn chair. (We considered doing the project with 99 red balloons, but thought we might want to hold off on that until we actually understood the lyrics to the song.
Experimentation: Check out our 2 minute video, by Dylan’s sister Anna Gibbs, 16, to see if we were right.
What was our conclusion?
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Chefs Kim and Edgar Alvarez of Avenida Restaurant impressed CBS Philly viewers, and “Talk Philly” co-host Pat Ciarrocchi when they appeared on the Nov. 22 noon show entitled, “Alternative Holiday Dishes.”
On the menu was Turkey Mole, Roasted Pumpkin Soup with toasted pepitas, Chorizo Corn Bread Stuffing, and Vanilla Flan. Click here to view the broadcast.
If you’d like the chefs to prepare your Holiday feast this Christmas, Hannukah or New Year’s Eve, check out Avenida’s 2011 Holiday Catering Menu.
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Mission: The Grateful American™ Series is an interactive, multimedia program focused on restoring enthusiasm in American history for children — and adults.
Vision: To work with directors of the Presidential/Founding Father homes, educators, historians, writers, and successful Americans to find out: what makes them “Grateful”, and how they keep history stimulating for their kids, their colleagues, and themselves.
The Grateful American™ Series includes:
- The Grateful American™ Radio Show on the Inkandescent Radio Network, featuring interviews about historical figures (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, etc.) with the chief executives of the nation’s presidential homes, historians, and other experts.
- A TV series on YouTube, public access, and national TV stations.
- The Grateful American™ Guidebooks: Featuring insights from the leaders of the presidential homes, and interactive exercises that explore, engage, and help readers develop an interest in American history.
- The Grateful American™ Events: Dovetailing with and promoting the events-in-progress currently going on at each of the nation’s top presidential homes.
- An interactive website: Here, students will post art, photos, writing, music, and other creative works that share their ideas about what excites them about American history.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You may be surprised to know that many of our national treasurers are available to host special events.
From museums and unique spaces, to private homes and estates, Washington, DC, and its surrounding counties offer a vast array of possibilities to add a historic element to special affairs.
Historic venues add an element of antiquity and elegance to any party. These special finds are worth the work as well as the restrictions they come with. Your guests will appreciate the added level of attention you offered them and will look forward to your next function.
For an experience that is sure to take guests back to a by-gone era, below are five of the oldest landmarks available for rent in the Greater Washington region.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — If you look back to what we knew 20 years ago about the Internet and websites, who would have guessed that an information-sharing mechanism would have such a profound impact on our professional and personal lives? Or that this information-sharing vehicle would shape world revolutions, change our shopping habits, and make things obsolete we thought would never end, among other things? Or that it would create entire new job functions and support services? While some folks feel the culture is changing too quickly, Search Engine Optimizers (SEO)—people like me—look forward to the Internet’s future with joy and excitement. We know that what worked last year to get your Web pages ranked higher on the search engines isn’t going to work this year—or next. If there’s one characteristic we SEOers share, it’s that we don’t like being bored. In fact, to be effective in the future, we need to constantly adapt to the searcher’s query requirements and needs. But even with all the changes that happen, there’s one thing that’s going to remain constant in searches: high-quality content that readers want and need. Here’s why.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — My recent columns addressed the issue of what type of jobs will make up our future economy—including a focus on STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, and math), and the prerequisite education necessary to pursue those careers.
In a recent keynote presentation to the Northern Virginia chapter of Girls in Technology, I explained the importance of public policy initiatives in defining our nation’s priorities and in determining where our resources are invested.
I believe that among the many failings brought on by the current disconnect between Washington DC and our nation’s economic needs is the lack of a strategic link between our education system and future job markets.
I attribute this to a lack of national leadership. The good news is that this important economic link is being recognized at the local and regional level by groups like the Girls in Technology Mentor-Protégé Program, which is actively promoting the critical link between our students’ educational choices and the jobs opportunities that they will have in the coming years.
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November 1, 2011, The Costco Connection — Inkandescent PR and journalist Hope Katz Gibbs’ article on “Dork Diaries” author Rachel Russell hit 10 million mailboxes today.
The article, featured on page 45, explains how Russell’s dreams of being a writer were dashed in college.
“I signed up for a writing class with a professor who had published a popular children’s book, because I thought I’d learn a lot and that he’d help set me on a great path,” she recalls. “But after handing in a few assignments, he assured me that I was the worst writer on the planet and that he was doing me a favor by giving me a C.”
Russell took the criticism to heart, and set her sights on a law career. A husband, two kids, and a successful practice later—her life took another turn when he left her for another woman. That set Russell on a new path—one that has led her to the New York Times bestseller list.
Click here to read the entire article in the online version of the Costco Connection.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine
There is no denying the irony. As I struggled to write my piece this month for Be Inkandescent Magazine’s issue on “State of the Future,” I did what any Generation-Yer would do, I tweeted for help. As my followers conveniently pointed out, the answers were right before my eyes.
I had to laugh because the ability to harness the power of the Internet is something that I regularly discuss with my family.
In fact, it is a running joke in my family, who keep asking when am I going to get a “real” job. I’m the only official female athlete in the group, and a professional at that, but my grandparents find it very difficult to comprehend that this is my “real” job.
Why is it such a strange concept for people in the Post-War generation to wrap their brains around?
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Since the beginning of time, every generation has been concerned about health and well-being. It is a survival instinct, and something that our brains, and bodies, cannot deny.
Every generation is looking for ways to maintain youthfulness, and so it is important for all of us to keep stress levels low by exercising and eating high-energy foods that will enhance our health.
The good news for Millennials, especially, is that they have grown up with these messages. Not only that, but the natural food grocery store, which was nearly nonexistent in most communities 50 years ago, is now accessible to most people, and part of the mainstream.
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November 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Which of these events do you relate to most? The first Moon landing. Space shuttle Challenger explodes. Kurt Cobain dies. Barack Obama is elected our first black president.
The answer, of course, probably depends on your generation. Many of us have done an incredible job staying “hip” and embracing the generations that have followed us. Yet, it’s extremely challenging to do so.
Think of the struggles of Phil—the father–from the hit TV show, “Modern Family.” You may have set up a personal Facebook page, created a Twitter account, and own an iPhone.
As business owners and professionals, the bigger question is whether our business’ marketing model is one of the Lost Generation or Generation Z?
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Be Inkandescent magazine, November 2011 — “It’s easy to find books and articles that tell you that we’re headed down the wrong path … that we’re going to be less healthy, more divided, less secure, and generally less well off as a nation in the future,” writes Futurist Chris Carbone.
“But as Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais show in Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America, there are other ways to view the future of the United States and its social, economic, and political dynamics.”
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October 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Every fall, it is the same situation for folks on the gala circuit. Mailboxes and in-boxes fill with invitations to gala fundraisers on behalf of every cause imaginable. The events are often black-tie, always fun and festive, and feature highly regarded honorees, renowned entertainment, and creative parting gifts.
For many organizations, the allure of producing a fundraising gala is difficult to pass up. They know it will be fun to see their organization’s name in lights, have their logo in print, and play host to all the guests.
The reality, though, is that fundraising galas cost organizations far more money than they realize. All too often, production costs and opportunity costs (which are ever more difficult to calculate) are not always reflected on the balance sheet.
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October 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — It’s no secret that times are tight. The economy has clearly relapsed, and most of my friends, clients, and colleagues are nervous about their business finances. As a fellow business owner, I can relate. Maybe you were thinking about devoting some resources to improving your website’s visibility in search-engine results—and you were negotiating with a local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm to assist—but now you’ve determined that money could be better spent on other things, or even just put aside as a cash reserve. The good news is that there are several free tools you can use to push your website pages higher in search results. How can you boost your website visibility?
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October 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — For decades, jobs and economic development have been the focus of my advocacy work. The reason is simple: Investment is a multiplier that generates economic growth.
Unfortunately, we are now at a crossroads in our national policy-making that questions how to create jobs. The debate of more / less government, more / less spending, higher / lower taxes, and more / less regulation goes on daily.
Our nation’s elected officials are campaigning rather than governing, and I don’t see that changing until after the next election (go vote!). Until then, I’m confident that there will be no clear economic policy or job-creation road map for the small business, the unemployed, the manufacturer, the high-tech firm, the healthcare company, and everyone else woven into our U.S. economy.
That includes no progress toward remedying the public-policy disconnects between our education curriculum and future job markets.
Rather than focus on our country’s woes, I am putting my professional focus on job creation, education (college in particular), and workforce readiness.
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October 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Fall is a time of transition and change, and in Ayurveda, the junctures of the seasons are considered times to gently cleanse the body and prepare for the upcoming season.
The logic of this is exquisitely simple. As we prepare for changes in life, we release the old and create the optimum environment for what lies ahead of us.
We do this during the bigger transitions of life as well as the smaller ones. In fact, if we manage the “smaller stuff of life,” we are not as rocked by the larger ever-present shifts that are part of the natural unfolding of time.
In the ancient Ayurvedic texts, we are reminded that “like increases like” and “opposites balance.” These straightforward beliefs are the perfect way to cultivate harmony in our lives, and maintain and restore balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
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October 1, 2011 — Inkandescent Public Relations was happy to help videographer Roger Munter with this documentary on Simplicity Urgent Care, an Inkandescent client since 2010.
“As health care costs continue to rise, these two ER docs who are trying to make it more affordable to get medical care,” Munter explains in this story, where viewers learn how Drs. John Jones and John Maguire are changing the way health care is delivered by establishing a new kind of health care facility—Simplicity Urgent care on Columbia Pike, in Arlington VA.
The documentary will be featured throughout October and November on the Arlington TV program, 26 Sq., and will run four times a day: 6:00 am, 9:30 am, 1:00 pm, 8:30 pm.
Click here to view the entire documentary on YouTube.
For more information about Simplicity Urgent Care, visit www.simplicityurgentcare.com.
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October 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — No matter when you started your business—five, 10, or only two years ago—you surely have experienced the up-and-down trends in the economy.
While some of you may be masterful at weathering economic downturns, others end up in a panic, switching strategies weekly or monthly for survival.
Before you go into survival mode, ask yourself: What is the most powerful, sustainable structure for your business or job?
Answering this question often involves identifying your intrinsic motivations—your drive to do something because it is entrancing, challenging, and interesting. Here’s why.
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September 1, 2011, Washington DC — Bring your creativity. Bring your optimism.
And join us Sunday afternoon, September 18, 2011, for the Life is Good Kids Rock & Art Festival to raise funds for The Life is Good Playmakers Kids Foundation, which helps kids overcome life-threatening challenges.
“I have been raising funds all summer to support this important organization, and even got to interview Bert Jacobs, the founder of The Life is good Company, to talk about more ways to help kids who aren’t as lucky as me and my friends,” says Dylan Gibbs, 12, who is hosting the backyard event. “He suggested that we host a festival with backyard games, art contests, and music, and I thought that would be a fantastic idea. See the photo of me and Bert, below.”
When: The festivities begin at 1 p.m. and go until 5 p.m.
Where: At Dylan’s house (Send us an email for directions.)
Donations: We ask that each attendee make a minimum of a $5 donation to the Life is Good Kids Foundation at the door. (Credit card donations will be uploaded directly to the website upon entry, and your name will be posted on the fundraising website. Cash and checks are accepted. Please make all checks out to the Life is good Playmakers.)
What: Music, arts & crafts, backyard games, treats, and a wine tasting for the adults. We are thrilled to featuring the following:
Music: The day will be filled with music by kid musicians, including teenage phenom Cecelia Jeffrey, 11th grade violinist Anna Gibbs, middle schoolers rockers Muchos Muchos Tacos, and 7th grade guitarist Evie Priestman (see those bios below).
Arts & Crafts: Each participant will be given a large sheet of construction paper and with the provided pens, markers, and crayons will have the opportunity to create their own Life is good artwork. We’ll then tack all of the creations to the front and back of our house to build a giant mural. A panel of artists will then choose their favorite 25 pieces of artwork, which Dylan will deliver to the Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, at Life is good headquarters in Boston.
Backyard Games by the Boy Scouts: Members of Dylan’s local Boy Scout Troop 106 will be creating and moderating the backyard games, which include sack races, obstacle course, a football toss, hula hoop contest, face painting, and more.
Cookies and Lemonade Stand: Girls who the neighborhood will be raising even more funds at the cookie & lemonade stand they are setting up.
Wine Tasting for the Grown-Ups: Several local wine shops have agreed to donate bottles of wine so the adults can learn about wine. An additional donation of $5 is requested.
Thanks to our Sponsors! We are truly grateful to our sponsors, Arlington’s Arrowine & Cheese, whose owner Doug Rosen graciously donated two cases of wine for our tasting. And Barston’s Child’s Play,”:http://www.barstonschildsplay.com which donated a very special toy for our grand prize.
For details, contact us at by email hope@inkandescentpr.com, and cell at 703 346-6975.
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About Barstons Child’s Play: This is more than a typical toy store that’s been in business for 25 years. There are 5 locations in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia area. The shelves are stocked with toys and games, puzzles and trains, books and music, arts and crafts, cards and party costumes, for children of all ages. The store entices customers to meander through its many sections and plenty of informed staff are on hand and willing to assist you-never worry about a Birthday present again.
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Arrowine & Cheese: We’re a “neighborhood” store with a national reputation. We taste between 400 and 600 wines a month to select the best wines and wine values for our customers. We travel to the wineries to hand select what we sell. We carry hard-to-find wines with character and uniqueness that speak of the place that they were grown in. Wines that offer “real value.” We support artisan wine makers, organic agriculture and hand harvesting.
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Since the 4th grade, high school junior Anna Gibbs has been playing violin.
She credits her wonderful teachers at Union Milll Elementary in Fairfax County, and her private lesson teacher Hailey Rose, for helping her land a seat in the prestigious Chamber Orchestra when she entered Yorktown High in the 9th grade.
Under the tutelage of Maestro Thomas Hartman, she has had tremendous success as a high school violinist, and looks forward to many more years of learning to master the instrument that says, “makes me feel better when I’m sad, makes me happier when I’m happy, and helps me express myself when words just don’t do it.”
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“Cecelia Jeffrey has a soulful vibe and riveting voice,” say critics of this high schooler who has been singing and writing songs since she was old enough to pick up a guitar. Today, she is a testimony to the power of what it means to want something so bad you can taste it.
Her sheer determination, constant practice, and yes — all those music lessons sponsored by her loving parents — have paid off. Cecelia has performed as part of the Fairfax Corner Summer Concert Series, at the Vienna rock club Jammin’ Java, 1st Stage Theater, and the Gibson Guitar Showroom, among other venues.
She has also recorded an EP that is available on i-Tunes. Click inside for links.
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Evie Priestman is in seventh grade at Gunston Middle School. She taught herself to play the guitar and loves to perform.
This photograph (right) was taken this summer at the Beyond Rock Camp at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — When it comes to fundraising events, whether it be a gala, sporting event, or networking mixer, the end goal is to inspire guests to take action.
Sound easier said than done? It’s not if the events you plan evoke emotion.
You can do that by identifying a basic human element that they can personally relate to. Here’s how.
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — I always love it when I walk down the busy streets of Washington, DC, and see folks wearing those “Life is good” shirts. It seems to me that the people who sport them truly feel good about life, and it always makes me smile when I see one. It also makes me think: How can we smile and think, “life is good,” when it comes to our websites? It’s not a secret. Quite simply, the key to a great site is great content. The sort that is meaningful, factual, and relevant—and that appears on every single page of your website. Here are some of the basics to get you started.
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — I am always amazed that so many Americans don’t vote.
According to Voting and Registration Data / US Census 2008, voter turnout for the United States was 58 percent. That means 42 percent of people didn’t vote. Why?
Numerous studies outline the numerous reasons why, but I still don’t understand the trend. After all, your vote is your voice. It’s also your privilege, your right—and your obligation.
So I am going to issue all of our Be Inkandescent Magazine readers a challenge: Make the election of 2012 the one where you get out to the polls and cast your ballot. It just may change the direction of the country. Here are some statistics to consider.
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They love tacos. They love to sing. They love to play guitar and drums. What better thing to do than put it all together and form a boy band in North Arlington that celebrates the good stuff in life?
We look forward to welcoming Luke Ritter, Davis Hamlin, Will LaRocca, and Zeb Demspsey to the Life is Good Kids Rock & Art Festival!
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Sadly, the Women’s Professional Soccer season is over this month. I am sure that I speak for most professional athletes when I say that it is hard to transition from an intense, competitive environment to a period of rest (especially for six months, which is the length of the off-season for a female pro soccer player in the United States).
Considering how much fulfillment we get from playing the game at the highest level, what does one do in the months between seasons? I have decided to take the term “off-season” quite lightly, and I am turning my good situation in Philly into a great situation in Spain. I will be playing for a team named Espanyol in the heart of the Barcelona.
Again this winter, I get to travel the world doing what I love, and live in one of the most fabulous locations in the world. My teammate, Lianne Sanderson, and I will also be traveling to Jharkhand, India, this fall to work with an inspiring NGO called Yuwa (short for “Youth” in Indian). Our goal is to teach soccer as a means of changing lives, as well as grow the game of women’s soccer in India.
I recently had the privilege to interview Franz Gastler, the founder of Yuwa, to unlock the magic behind his organization, and find out exactly what’s in store for Lianne and me.
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — In “The Art of Happiness,” the Dalai Lama wrote: “Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, the very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.”
In fact, there are times in all of our lives when despite the struggle, our stress seems to fade into the background. These are times when we feel a sense of contentment with “what is.” We may even take secret delight as we hear ourselves respond to the question, “How are you?” with a genuine, “Life is good. I am really happy.”
Recently, I have had a few of those ‘unreasonable’ moments of light-hearted equanimity. As a chef, when I have a mouth-watering, delectable experience, I try and figure out the recipe so I can recreate it. I examine the more subtle flavors of life, too. After a particularly wonderful night’s sleep, I review the prior day. Was there something I did or didn’t do differently that may have contributed to the blissful quality of sleep? Perhaps an earlier supper than usual, followed by a walk around Lake Merritt with a friend were the ingredients for a sumptuous slumber.
In the Vedic tradition, we call this karma. While we often consider this concept only when we stumble on a date with destiny, or experience a mysterious twist of fate, karma is simply the law of cause and effect. It refers to the mundane aspects of life as well as those moments of serendipity that leave us feeling a sense of awe or bewilderment. (I jokingly say that the headache you feel after celebrating with a bit of bubbly is a citation from the karmic police.)
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September 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Have you ever been called a Pollyanna? Someone who only sees the glass half full?
If not, then pessimism, stress, and fatigue may be guiding you—and holding you back from the life you want to lead. The good news is that there is a way to shift your perception toward optimism.
Here’s how.
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By Hope Katz Gibbs
The Costco Connection
September 2011
Love. Loss. Survivorship. These are the themes that are at the heart of the 18 novels, eight young adult books and three books of short fiction that the prolific Alice Hoffman has crafted since the beginning of her career in 1973.
Her novel, Here on Earth, was an Oprah Book Club choice in 1998. That same year, her book, Practical Magic, was made into a Warner Brothers film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Her young adult novel, Aquamarine, made it to the silver screen in 2006, starring teen queens Joanna “JoJo” Levesque, Emma Roberts and Sara Paxton.
Hoffman says that while it’s thrilling to watch her books make a splash in theaters, her goal is to understand life’s biggest questions. Her novel, At Risk, for instance, concerns a family dealing with AIDS, and can be found on the reading lists of many universities, colleges and secondary schools.
“I have a deep desire to find the answers to questions about love, death, and how to cope with disappointment,” the 50something writer tells The Connection from her home outside of Boston. “I work to find those answers through writing, because it’s not really something you can do in every day life.”
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WEBSITE — Inkandescent Networking
Click image for larger view Writing / Concept by Hope Katz Gibbs
Website design by Michael Gibbs
Website coding / database by Max Kukoy
About Inkandescent Networking
Are You Ready to Start Networking in 7 East Coast Cities?
At Inkandescent Networking, our goal is to help your business grow by connecting you to potential customers, strategic partners, and employees / employers through networking events and online introductions.
That’s why we developed this incredible website, which is packed with lists of networking events in 7 east coast cities, and profiles the organizations that host them—and the professionals that you want to meet.
Affordable, fun, and effective. Those are the qualities entrepreneurs embrace.
That’s why posting a 250-word profile is free!* And for $2 a day or less, you can get even more visibility for yourself and your business. Below you’ll find seven ways to join us. Plus, we’ll give you a free gift.
Click here to get started!
August 19, 2011, Inc. Magazine — “An old joke among human resources professionals is that employee reviews are like fruitcakes. They come once a year whether you want them to or not,” writes Inc. Magazine reporter Elizabeth Sile in her article, It’s August. Time for Employee Reviews?
Because these reviews remain necessary evils, Shile turned to Sharon Armstrong, author of The Essential Performance Review Handbook, for advice.
Armstrong said, “It is crucial to gather as many specific examples of good and bad behavior as possible and collect objective information on employee performance. This shouldn’t be done right before a performance appraisal meeting; rather, achievements and slip-ups must be tracked throughout the year.”
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“The Licks. The Life,” by Arlington musicians David Martell and Jamie Troutman is the first from this Arlington band, and can be heard here. Don’t miss their performance on Sept. 18.
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Guitar is a way of life for Logan Spicer, an Arlingtonian who grew up playing his way through school. As a college student, he and his mate, bass player Alex Cortes, charm and delight crowds with their rock covers and original music. We look forward to hearing them play on Sunday, Sept. 18.
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August 15, 2011, Washington DC — Career transition coach Mimi Darmstadter knows the statistics. Since December 2007, 8.8 million people have lost their jobs, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor.
While devising a plan for an alternative “safety net” career is easier said than done, she told Washington Post Express reporter Nevin Martell this week that you can take steps now to find the perfect next career—even if you haven’t lost your job.
“Soul-searching is hard,” Darmstadter says. “I force people to ask themselves the tough questions: ‘What do I want to be when I grow up?’ ‘What’s important to me?’ ‘What are the implications for other people?’”
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August 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — I have never met a bride who couldn’t describe, in detail, her dream wedding. Whether it’s a big church wedding, an intimate hometown affair, a lavish estate gala, a vineyard reception, or just a quiet ceremony for two on the beach—the bride just knows.
For couples hailing from the Washington, DC, area, there is another enchanting option—a wedding at one of the national memorials.
And really, what better place to celebrate than at one of the area’s quintessential landmarks?
Applying for a wedding ceremony on the National Mall is easier than you might think. And though the list of “cannots” may be twice as long as the “cans” … we think the simple elegance of the location is well worth the effort.
There are several items to consider before choosing a national memorial or park as your ceremony location.
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August 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — What have you done to your website to capture, captivate, and beguile your target visitors so they stay on your site longer and read more of your Web pages? Here are six search-engine-optimization (SEO) tips to boost your site’s charm for deeper visits from your target audience.
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August 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — “We’re not going to be at a competitive advantage here [in the United States] unless we provide the appropriate skills, tools, and training,” noted Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis at a recent policy summit in Washington, DC, that addressed our changing workforce dynamics.
Among the topics discussed and frequently repeated by a very diverse panel of leaders in government, business, education, and at think tanks was the mismatch between our educational system and future job skills, with the missing component being a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills.
Check out the Power of STEM.
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June 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — At last, soccer players and fans can take a deep breath. The suspense of the Women’s World Cup in Germany is over, and although our country cannot celebrate a first-place victory, we can bask in the glory of what was one of the greatest tournaments in any sport.
The game got an 8.6 rating on ESPN, which is the highest rating for any World Cup game—for men or women. (For a little perspective, consider that last year’s World Series between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants got an overnight rating of 8.4.)
Even more spectacular, the World Cup final broke the Twitter record for tweets-per-second (7,196/sec).
Who would ever have guessed that in 2011, we’d finally see this kind of following for a women’s sport?
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August 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You have heard the adage, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Well, I believe the reverse is also true: You will see it when you believe it.
If that sounds like an unrealistic fantasy, consider this. Researchers tell us that we have approximately 60,000 thoughts a day—and 90 percent of them were the same thoughts we had yesterday. Why? Because our brains love repetition.
The down side is that this process carves deep pathways in our brains, which ensure that we recreate our future from our past. The reason, psychologists tell us, is that each thought is attached to an emotion. And each emotion spurs us to action. The actions we take create our destiny.
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August 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — The other day I was coaching one of my clients, who said to me, “It’s ridiculous that I actually get paid to do my job. I just love what I do. I feel so blessed.”
What a wonderful thing to say, especially given that so many people feel underpaid for the work they do. But my client was talking about having tapped into something that is so important to being happy in our work and home lives.
When I asked exactly what it was that made him feel so enchanted by his job, he said it was because succeeding at work came easy to him. “I feel like I am doing what I was born to do.”
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Don’t miss this Board of Trade Speaker Series featuring Tom Gardner, Co-Founder, The Motley Fool and LouAnn Lofton, Author, “Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl, and Why You Should Too.”
When: Friday, July 8, 2011
8:00 am Registration and Networking
8:30 – 10:15 am Program and Book Signing
Where: Key Bridge Marriott, Arlington VA, Capital View Ballroom
Register Now: $75 Members / $100 Non-Members
What will you learn? Warren Buffett and all of the women of the world have one thing in common: They are better investors than the average man, a fact proven by psychologists, scientists, and the value of their portfolios. While men tend to be too confident, compulsive, and overly daring, women tend to be more studious, skeptical, and reasonable — traits that have led them to consistently outperform their male counterparts as investors.
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July 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — I’m embarrassed to admit that early in my career, I fell prey to repeating one of the ultimate cop-outs: “We are doing this event this way because this is the way things have always been done.”
Chalk it up to any number of reasons: lack of time or energy to offer a broader explanation, lack of interest in truly delving into the issue, or, simply, having heard the same response myself when I had asked, Why?
The reality is that a decade ago, when the economy was humming along, and business seemed to come easy, this status-quo approach was acceptable.
But it doesn’t work today. Organizations, nonprofits, and associations alike must constantly strive to adjust and grow to meet the needs of their constituents to remain relevant, interesting—and in business.
So step outside your comfort zone, and take some risks.
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July 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — While thinking big is a great concept for most sectors, the zeal for government spending has led to big deficits and outrageous debt. At the personal level, the quest for an ever-bigger house, helped out by big banks eager to provide loans, led to often-unaffordable mortgage payments for homeowners nationwide.
There is enough blame to go around regarding indulgence, but regardless of your political affiliation (I’m a liberal Republican turned Independent), I think you’ll agree that the pain from big foreclosures, big unemployment numbers, and big health insurance costs is felt most deeply at the local level.
So, what is the solution?
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July 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — Ever notice that as the temperatures rise during the summer, temperaments heat up, too?
That’s because during the summer, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at a steep angle. The light does not spread out as much, thus increasing the amount of energy hitting any given spot. Also, the long daylight hours allow the Earth plenty of time to reach warm temperatures. This change causes an increase in the what we call in Ayurveda, the fire element—one of five natural elements that impact our body’s health and well-being. Source: www.loc.gov
And that’s why during July, and especially in August, we tend to feel more intense, impassioned, excited—and perhaps a bit impatient, irritable, and hotheaded.
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July 2011, Be Inkandescent magazine — You aspire for positive changes in your business and personal life. You’re thinking big and looking forward to achieving your aspirations with great excitement. In spite of that, at some point, too many of us give up on our dreams. Why?
The harsh truth is that although our conscious mind wants great things for us, we have a terrible troll—our subconscious—that does not.
In fact, this troll hates change of any type. Focused on self-preservation, it basks in the status quo and above all cannot tolerate one thing: fear.
*Where is your conscious mind in this process?
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“When leaders are looking to fill a staff vacancy, I suggest they start by creating an organizational staffing or resource plan,” says Alice Waagen, president and founder of the Washington, D.C.-based management training firm Workforce Learning. Think of it as a shopping list, not a wish list, created to fill specific needs for specific purposes, based on an actual inventory, not an ideal.
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