August 2007 Archives

Meet Casey Wohl, author of the newly released Girls Getaway Guide to Orlando: Leave Your Baggage at Home at one or more of the upcoming book signings we have planned:

Thurs., Sept. 20 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Urban Think! Bookstore
625 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801

October 4 - 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Highlands Art League, Inc.
351 W. Center Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870

October 11 - 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Le Bri Boutique
1437 Town Center Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803

Check out the Girls Getaway Guide website for more info or to order the book online.

Robin Dahlen, Associate Managing Director of Billiard Congress of America, has been named one of the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) "90 Movers and Shakers." The list was complied by her peers and honors her participation in and support of the association community in Georgia. It is also GSAE's 90th anniversary (thus the 90 folks on the list).

The honor doesn't surprise me. I've known Robin for years. We became good friends after serving together on the board of directors and producing many events for the Florida Public Relations Association's Capital chapter. When I first launched Elizabeth Charles & Associates, Robin was one of my strongest supporters, even filling an associate role at EC&A in her spare time to help me get the business up and running. She's an oustanding editor among her many other skills and talents and a friend of whom I'm very proud.

Congratulations Robin!

It looks like Hartmann may be getting ready to update their logo. I just received a survey request soliciting feedback on four logos, including the current one. Respondents are asked to rate a series of attributes in terms of how well the respective logos convey such things as durability, enduring sense of style, brand trustworthiness, and more. Here are the logos under consideration:

Step 4 of my D.R.E.A.M. Principle is to "Assess Your Feedback." Your customers are the first people you should consider when proactively soliciting feedback. After all, who better to give you an honest assessment than someone who is familiar with and has purchased your products or utilized your services? And customers appreciate knowing you value their opinion and care about their needs.

Personally, I love Hartmann. It's the only luggage I've used for more than 10 years now. The quality and durability are worth the price, and if something breaks or needs repair, Hartmann will repair it FREE. Yes, they will even repair the leather handles your new puppy chews off while you're in the shower! This I know from personal experience.

Hartmann is a sound investment for someone like me who travels alot and doesn't want to show up to an event with luggage that looks like it was attached to the plane's landing gear during takeoff and landing.

A friend just passed this quote on to me, author unknown:

"Everything is always okay in the end, if it's not, then it's not the end."

Kenn Gluckman, founder of Law Offices of America, recently had a new web site designed for LOA. The company that designed the site has a really cute way to showcase some of their internet talent. Warning: yes, cute dog involved so you may end up spending a few minutes on the site!

Check out the Cuttercam. It checks in on Cutter at the office every three minutes. Unfortunately, I just found this brilliant marketing method so I have to wait until Monday to view Cutter in action.

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow to represent the Sunshine District on PRSA's National Nominating Committee.

This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking to NAWBO's Orlando chapter at their breakfast meeting.

My presentation was on effective communication. Below are three things you never want to be heard saying if you want to be effective in your communication.

1. "That's the way we've always done it."

I believe it was Albert Einstein or Ben Franklin who defined insanity as doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Don't be afraid to try something new. Break out of your comfort zone.

Jack Canfield has a formula I've found very helpful: E + R + O (Event + Reaction = Outcome). The only part of the equation that you can control is the "R" so if you want to change the outcome, you've got to change your reaction to the event. Sage advice.

2. "We could never do that."

There's a saying that it doesn't matter whether you think you can or can't, you're right. That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

3. "You should..." (or "You need to...")

Don't ever should on anyone, especially yourself! Besides, most people don't like being told what they should or need to do.