I am delighted to have my company involved in designing, developing and implementing the new web site and strategy for Pat Lynch, Ph.D., principal of Business Alignment Strategies, a consulting firm that helps clients align employee behaviors and decisions with organizational goals. Pat’s has a brilliant mind with exceptional capabilities to look at organizations, review their situations and untangle their misalignments. An organization whose programs and systems are misaligned with its mission and goals cannot achieve its intended business outcomes. Like putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together, Pat’s unique capabilities enable her to help her clients achieve their desired outcome and goals.
Click here to view her site and receive outstanding value from her articles and free special resources.

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I believe the following are the top five ways to become a better and clearer communicator:

1. Deliver direct and clear points and eliminate vagueness.


2. Support with examples.


3. Frame the issues with clear definition of what each one is and what it is not.


4. Communicate on a level the other can understand.


5. Test your assumptions as feedback is given and received.

TravelPost.com has a great guide on their web site listing WiFi spots in over 200 airports in the US and almost 100 international airports. Click here to view the actual guide.

Both BMW and Mercedes Benz are known for their terrific high-end performance cars. I know that since I own one of them. They have not been recognized for their emphasis on fuel consumption technology. But that’s about to change soon when both companies are about to reveal new car models offering better fuel consumption. So what do you think? Is this an attempt to enter emerging new markets such as India and China and compete against other brands and/or possibly show their concern for the environment? If they are successful, would this move dilute their brand for their high-end driving machines?

It’s clear to me that identity thieves are getting craftier and spammers are getting more deceptive. But what amazes me is the fact that many individuals and companies are still falling victims for the same old tricks. Is it a matter of better needed education, improved methods of public alerts or lack of individual common sense? Or could it perhaps be a combination of all three? It’s no wonder that Spam emails have been growing consistently and considerably.

Here are my top five tips:

1. Review your bank and financial statements often and scan for unusual activity.


2. Shred your sensitive paperwork.


3. Prevent leaving your financial data or credit cards exposed at home or the office.


4. When shopping online make sure the site is secured and encrypted.


5. Stop replying to emails requesting your confidential information or ones with tempting offers.

If you wish to learn more, I’ve previously written several articles describing ways to better protect your identity:

Are you fish bait? How to Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your Identity

Basic steps to Protect your identity – How to keep your private information secured

We are pleased to announce the extensive development and launch of the new web site for Pamela Harper of Business Advancement Inc. Pam, President and founder, focuses on helping her clients accelerate progress toward their key business objectives. Her unique abilities help generate dramatic and successful results for her clients, such as: more effective leadership, sharper organizational focus and improved business performance, to name a few. Click here to visit and explore her site and discover how she may be of help to your organization.

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A study conducted by Outsell Inc., a market researcher in Burlingame, and reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, reveals a huge fraud charging customers for erroneous clicks. Here’s an alarming summary of the finding as published in the original article:

Clicks believed by advertisers to be fraudulent: 14.6 percent

Money paid by advertisers for bogus clicks: $800 million (2005)

Advertisers who said they were victims of click fraud: 75 percent

Advertisers who said they reduced click-based advertising or plan to: 37 percent

Revenue lost by Google, Yahoo and other Web sites, as a result: $500 million

Advertisers who request refunds because of fraud: 7 percent

Average refund: $9,507

Source: Outsell Inc.

This article appeared on page C – 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle. Click Here to read original article.

I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place but it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in – it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

(By Portia Nelson)

He prayed ~ It wasn’t my religion

He ate ~ It wasn’t what I ate

He spoke ~ It wasn’t my language

He dressed ~ It wasn’t what I wore

He took my hand ~ It wasn’t the color of mine

But when he laughed ~ It was how I laughed
And when he cried ~ It was how I cried.

(By Amy Maddox, Age 16)