buzz 101

time and personal brand management

Maria Elena — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:30:28 +0000

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

email management, time management and your brand

Maria Elena — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:47 +0000

calendar management and your personal brand

Maria Elena — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:30:36 +0000

vote - it’s your responsibility

Maria Elena — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:30:26 +0000

The responsibility and privilege of voting is something that I hold near and dear to my heart. While I was born stateside, I had the great opportunity to live overseas in a nation, that then, was under martial law. All of those little things like: running water, the right to go to the store, the right to walk around in public, the right to have your own opinion, the right to VOICE your own opinion were not given - in fact, there, they were often punished.
I witnessed the first democratic vote of this country as it emerged from the suppression of martial law and even had an uncle assassinated on his way to the polls. As bombings of polling places, sniper attacks and threats to life and family were made, people proudly exercised their right to vote.
How often to we take for granted or even disrespect those who have given so much for us to have the right to vote? How often do we discount our rights with some sort of bull about “I’m just one and I don’t count.” Give it up - it’s a poor excuse for laziness and disregard. In fact, go live in a third world country and tell them of the things that you are “owed” as an American. Tell them of the rights that you have that are God given? When you get back stateside, I would love to hear of your experience.

Bless everyone today who behaves like a responsible American citizen and goes to vote!

As for our household, today we support JERRY MORALES for City Council. Jerry is a father, an entrepreneur and a hard worker. Having worked alongside him on the Midland Hispanic Chamber Board, numerous non-profit events and several projects, I’m confident this is a man who doesn’t just “see” what needs to be done - he rolls up his sleeves and DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES. There will be committee(ing) to death nor will there be delegation without accountability. He is a true entrepreneur who is not just a big business baby, nor has he just made wealth in the oil business - he has grown his business in one of the hardest most demanding service industries of our time. If anyone of the ballot today knows, lives and breathes the life and the trials of service, it’s Jerry Morales. Good luck today, Jerry! And, now GO VOTE!

business spotlight: midland concierge

Maria Elena — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:30:06 +0000

Today, our business spotlight shines on Midland Concierge. This company offers touchscreen kiosks connected to the internet that allows the general public to buy something or get something done while waiting. Midland Concierge has devised a way to kill boredom of waiting customers, provide business establishments a new and thrilling way to advertise their product and attract customers through these kiosks. Imagine people being able to get what they want right at their fingertips. It’s like having a real concierge only it’s fully automated.

The Things To Do. MidlandConcierge.com showcases two great things that your target customers and even you (yes, you!) can do while on the go. Remember the touchscreen kiosks we were talking about earlier? Hollywood Theaters and Ranchland Golf Club decided to advertise and sell their products the Midland Concierge way. These high-tech and easy to use “electronic concierges” are distributed around town so that people can access various products and services available in Midland. Say, you need to know what’s showing in the Hollywood Theaters or you want to schedule your golf tee time in Ranchland Golf Club, all these are available in the Midland Concierge kiosks. What’s even cooler is that customers can pay for these services through the kiosks.

Homes for Sale section. Jeaneen Pruitt of I Sell Midland, for instance, has a running ad and search bar for people who are looking for a house that fits their needs and budget. If you check it out, interested buyers can pick a home based on prize range or size of the home they want. One can easily sort the search results from the most expensive to least and vice versa or when the posting was added, etc.

The Business Members page. Check out Midland Concierge’s business members: Classic Carpets, Meet Midland, Fusion Power Lab’s VBS Plus, Advance Kwik Lube & Kar Wash, and Midland Memorial Hospital. These business partners enjoy the following: their banner ads displayed multiple times an hour in 20 different locations, detailed information about the establishment through the touchscreen kiosks, and credit card capability to capture sales immediately.

Don’t you just love technology!

LinkedIN or LockedOUT

Maria Elena — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:05:29 +0000

Are you NOT on LinkedIn? - So What! (as seen on Paul Copcutt’s blog - Reflections of a Square Peg)

I have just been made aware of a potentially career damaging (or at the very least heart stopping!) action that may happen with your LinkedIn profile - IT COULD DISAPPEAR!

Fellow Personal Brand Strategist - Jason Alba at Jibber Jobber has just put a posting out about the threat of losing your Linked In profile - and more importantly what to do about at least preserving your contacts and profile - and those all important recommendations.

Check out his blog posting here at Jibber Jobber.com

Cross posted at Career Hub

mealtime etiquette: some basics to exude professionalism

Maria Elena — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:30:42 +0000

Click here to listen in on the 2-minute tip

TOPIC: Mealtime Etiquette
• Know which glass is yours
• Napkin never touches the table
• Never start eating until everyone’s served
• Utensils with tines up at 4′oclock position signals you’re finished
• Plates will not be removed until everyone’s finished
• No speaking with mouthful

powerful presentation - technology and power points

Maria Elena — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:30:51 +0000

Not using power point powerfully?

more than just grip, grin and graze - networking strategies

Maria Elena — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:30:46 +0000

Who are you missing in your network?

piercings and the workplace: talk isn’t cheap

Maria Elena — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:30:20 +0000

Piercings In The Workplace: The finale (episode 5)

9. Consult a legal counsel regarding more complicated issues
It is better to ask an expert if someone feels discriminated because of the dress code. There are laws that protect both the employer and the employee. Knowing is winning half the battle so being knowledgeable about the company and employee’s rights is one of the keys in sorting this one out. Also, this matter should be taken seriously as these situations were already seen in court in the past. Remember that not only lawsuits cost money, losing an employee and replacing them is a cost to the company, as well.
10. Value diversity and have respect for the individual
Imagine a workplace where everyone is the same. If everyone were cut from the same cloth (same educational background, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic standing, etc.), then where would new ideas come from? There are actually some advantages in having unique employees. There are things that we can learn from people who wear piercings. Maybe that sounds weird but it’s true. Have you tried asking for their opinion about your company’s recent marketing strategy or what they think about the new company logo? Also, if they are following the policies and are doing extremely well in their department, isn’t that a proof that their appearance is not getting in the way in making the company a success? Their appearance should not stop us from recognizing a job well done. Valuing diversity and having respect for the individual not only increases employee satisfaction but it also lessens employee turnaround.
If you will notice, most of the tips are about communication between the employer and its workers. It is really best that we maintain an open communication among our employees as it helps resolve conflicts, reduces confusion, minimizes attrition, and strengthens work relationships. This just shows that talk is not cheap at all!