Saturday, June 26, 2010

You can't stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh.

So stop being demented and sore and start smiling, and laugh your way out.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Be simple in words, manners, and gestures. Amuse as well as instruct. If you can make a man laugh, you can make him think and make him like and believe you.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

When in charge, ponder. When in doubt, mumble. When in trouble, delegate.

Monday, June 21, 2010

"Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason."
You wanna get rid of your headache while at work or listening to your wife , try this therapy..it works for me.

“The nose has a left and a right side, we use both to inhale and exhale.

“Actually they are different; you would be able to feel the difference. The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon. During a headache, try to close your right nose, and use your left nose to breathe. In about five minutes, your headache will go.

“If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.

“The right side belongs to ‘hot,’ so it gets heated up easily, left side belongs to ‘cold.’

Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get ‘cooled off’’ faster.

“Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.

“My friend was unable to study. end used to have bad headaches and was always visiting the doctor. There was this period when he suffered headaches literally every night,

“He took painkillers but it did not work.

“He decided to try out the breathing therapy: Closed his right nose and breathed with his left nose.” It worked. His headache just went away.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Our Politicians are wonderful people as long as they stay away from things they don't understand, such as working for a living.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Message of the Day:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to other people....Who cares?
The cost of living's going up, and the chance of livin's going down.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

" 5 tips for inspiring the people you lead ". Read it on my blog www.thinknauman.blogspot.com. Must read for today's managers and ceo's.

5 Tips for Inspiring the People You Lead


“Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.” –Warren G. Bennis
As a leader, your ability to inspire the people you lead is a function of your willingness to allow them to shine. 

Inspiration is never a matter of proving yourself or your own point of view, or suppressing the opinions of others. Inspiration isn’t about impressing people with your own intelligence or ability.

In order to inspire the people you lead, you need to recognize their unique gifts and abilities, and reward them for expressing their own creativity and dedication. Inspiring people means letting them be great, and letting them know… thatyou know they are great.

Here are 5 ways you can start inspiring the people you lead…

1. Begin a practice of taking individual people aside from time to time ask for their insight or opinion about something important. Let them think about the challenges and problems that you think about, and allow yourself to be impressed by the solutions or insights they contribute.

2. Make a point of acknowledging people for the work they do, but especially for the work they don’t think you know they do!

3. Start interacting personally with people at every level of your organization. You may not realize it, but your people want to be with you and get to know you, and they want you to know who they are. Interacting with people at every level of your organization’s hierarchy helps dissolve any resentment between the ranks and create a culture where everyone feels like they matter. 

4. Let other people be right from time to time! Since you’re the boss, you get to be right even when you’re not. Give people the experience of being heard and making a significant contribution by giving them the benefit of the doubt once in a while, even when you disagree with them. Yielding to other people’s opinions, when appropriate, helps foster respect and mutual admiration. 

5. Give other people opportunities to lead. Let people express and develop their own leadership by catering to their strengths. If a particular project is well-suited to someone’s unique gifts and abilities, let them provide leadership by contributing their expertise.

Being able to inspire the people you lead is critically important to creating a vibrant and productive company culture. It’s not just about making people feel good. It’s about what people are capable of producing when they believe in themselves, and when they find meaning and purpose in their work.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The gratuitous insult – how do you respond?

I have been asking a series of questions about self-sabotaging behaviors. The vast majority of the replies have been constructive and incredibly helpful. But there is one type of reply that is truly self-sabotaging and gives me pause – it involves a gratuitous insult. When I try to point out that the insult is counter to their interests the person tends to respond with more insults. In a recent exchange, when I asked for clarification of a response I received “If you don’t understand what I mean, then that is probably your problem.” When I pointed out that I found his reply mildly insulting I received “you think you know me enough to think that I am insulting you, which I am not” – as if to say “you don’t get to decide when you feel insulted, I do”. I would like to find a way to respond that adds value to their lives but haven’t so far. It is quite frustrating and maybe there is no way or it is not worth the effort. What are your suggestions?
What is more important in professional life - certain set of skills or attitude to learn?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Why do scientists call it research when looking for something new?

Friday, June 4, 2010

Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Could people one day theoretically live forever?

Six Big Mistakes of Managers

Lack of communication.
In any industry, at any level, communication is key to being a successful manager. Employees need to know what is expected of them and when specific projects or tasks need to be completed.Communication needs to be clear, and any questions that arise need to be answered.
Favoritism.
Once a manager has obvious favorites, he or she loses credibility and the respect of the rest of the team.
Just do it.
The Nike slogan does not work when employees are trying to gain an understanding of the process or project. Rather than expecting your team to simply work blindly on tasks they do not understand, a good manager takes the time to explain what the project is all about and how the team’s work is incorporated into the plan. Remember, the more the team is invested in a project, the better the results will be.
Never change.
In a rapidly changing business environment, not being open to change can be a major mistake. While you may stick to tried-and-true methods in some areas, you should consider and weigh the value of change in others. Above all, be flexible.
Failing to hear what your employees have to say.
Managers make the mistake of listening but not always hearing what their employees are saying. To manage effectively, you need to understand the needs and concerns of your employees.
Too much technology.
A new breed of managers are more tech-savvy than they are comfortable handling and managing people. Embracing technology is a key to success in the modern office environment, but not at the risk of embracing people skills. Do not hide behind e-mails and other technology.

How to Write a Business Plan

Thinking about starting a business ?
Great. Have you got a Plan? That's Plan with a capital "P" for Business Plan . If you haven't written your plan yet, your business is still in the fantasy stages.

That isn't harsh; it's how it is in the real world. A company's business plan is what lenders such as banks Small Business Administration use in deciding to lend you money. It's the main company document that your employees and you use to gauge your company's success and to make decisions about what you should do first, second, or not at all.
If you're starting a home-based business on a shoestring, some of these suggestions probably aren't necessary, but you still should create a plan that outlines your goals, expected costs, marketing plan and exit strategy. A business plan is your road map for how you expect to succeed and how you'll measure success.

Here is a quick nine-step guide to what you will need in your company's business plan:


1. An executive summary outlining goals and objectives.
The executive summary introduces your business strategy and probably is the most important section for lending institutions. If you can't persuade a loan officer in the first two or three pages that you've got a viable business proposal, you're going to leave empty-handed. This summary is also important as a communication tool for employees and potential customers who need to understand -- and get behind -- your ideas.

2. A brief account of how the company began.
Clearly explain the origins behind the company's creation and how you or your business associate came up with the idea to start your business.

3. Your company's goals.
Explain in a few paragraphs your short- and long-term goals for the company. How fast do you think it will grow? Who will be your primary customers?

4. Biographies of the management
team. The management section should include the names and backgrounds of lead members of the management team and their respective responsibilities.

\5. The service or product you plan to offer.
A key aspect of this section will be a discussion of how your product or service differs from everything else on the market.

6. The market potential for your service or product.
Remember that you've got to convince lenders, employees and others that the market you're after is relatively large and growing. You'll need to do some research for this section. If it's a locally based business, you need to assess the demand for your offering within an xx-mile radius, based on what you determine is a reasonable distance from your business. If it's a Web-based business or a business that relies on both the Internet and local traffic for revenues, you'll need to evaluate demand on a local and/or a national basis. A research report from sites such as Forrester Research can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. But you may be able to get some basic information simply by using the Web and its many search engines and directories.

7. A marketing strategy.
How do you plan to tell the world you're open for business? Will you rely exclusively on order of mouth (not a good plan unless you've already got a reputation)? Will you advertise in print, television or on the Web (or all three)? Will you useonline services to get your company listed on search engines and advertised on other Web sites? You'll also need to include how much you plan to spend on marketing.

8. A three- to five-year financial projection. This section
should include a summary of your financial forecasts, with spreadsheets showing the formula you used to reach your projections. You'll need balance sheets, income statements and cash-flow projections for the entire forecast period. The summary in this section is also where you would tell prospective lenders how much money you'd like to borrow to cover your startup costs. The assumptions that you make in this section will make or break your company's success. If you're unsure about using this kind of financial modeling, find a professional or invest infinancial management software . It's worth the money.

9. An exit strategy.
All good business plans include a section that lays out the benchmarks you'll use in deciding to call it quits. The strategy could be based on a dollar figure, revenue growth, the market's reception to your idea, or a consensus among top officers.
In my next post I will discuss Common Business Plan Mistakes so keep in touch

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Top 5 Tips To Improve Your Personality



Personality goes beyond external appearance. It includes dispositions, traits, qualities, speech, and other things innate in the person.
Here are some tips in improving personality:
1.  Be interested in people.
Try to discover what other people want. Know their likes, dislikes, interests, and beliefs. By doing this, you will be regarded as a person with an attractive and pleasing personality.
2. Assume that people like you.
If you show the other person that you want people to talk to you, they will react to you with warmth.
3. Admit your weaknesses.
Do not regard yourself as a perfect person. Just as persons have strengths, they also have their weaknesses. To improve your personality, you should admit that you also have defects.
4. Admire your friends.
Praise them for their achievements. Tell them how attractive they look. Make them feel how important they are to you.  By this, they will also give importance.
5.  Associate with people who are successful and happy.
Seek the companionship of others who can give you new points of views, renewed hopes, and meaningful life.  Ask for their advice and guidance. They can give you valuable insights about their experiences in life. You can learn from their insights and apply their insights to improving your personality.
Aside from this, you can also develop your skills in other areas such as public speaking and understanding other people’s attitudes and beliefs.
Improving your personality takes a lot of work and dedication.  While it may take a lot of work, it can be worthwhile and fun because you are focusing your attention on improving relationships with others and yourself.

Can you solve it : What question can you never answer "yes" to? What question can you never answer "no" to?
10 Tips to become a better boss ; read all about it on my blog www.thinknauman.blogspot.com

10 Tips To Become A Better Boss


It's pretty hard, says Bernie Erven, to find someone who says, “I've got good employees, but they've got a lousy boss.” More often, says the Ohio State University professor emeritus in employee and labor management, he hears this complaint: “I don't have any problems. It's my employees.”

The reality, he says, is “You will be about as good a boss as you choose to be.” Your reputation as a boss, and how that reputation influences your relationship with your employees and fellow managers, is the sum of the choices you have made and continue to make.

“Being a better boss is about you and your standards and your choices. It's not about natural ability.”

It is, however, all about being willing to change, he adds, because becoming a better boss is no different than becoming better at anything else: You have to work at it and you have to be willing to learn how to do it differently if what you're doing now isn't working to your satisfaction.

“That's at the heart of being a better boss,” he says. “Can you be a good boss for the next 10 years if you refuse to change? You'll still be on your employees' bad list. Or you won't have any employees at all.”

Here are 10 areas where supervisors can make choices to help their bottom line: 
  1. Welcome change. “Accept the fact that change is difficult. And so, if you're going to be a leader, what does your own attitude about change have to be? Positive”. Say you want to introduce a new procedure. If you want your employees to change, you've got to give them information about the what, the why and the when. “Some of your very best employees might resist change because they aren't yet persuaded that the change is reasonable, is justifiable, and is worth the risk”. That means employees need the information, but also some time to work it through. They need to be able to ask questions. “So if you're going to welcome change and lead change and help people change over time as part of being a good boss, you've got to allow time. It can't be done in a crisis.”
  2. Emphasize communication. Supervising employees is about building relationships, Erven says, and you can't relate if you can't communicate. “The most important single skill that can be learned, practiced, improved and evaluated is communication. You've got to make communication your key to building relationships”. The two most important places bosses can improve are in how they send messages and their ability to listen. Some people are readers; some aren't. “So you've got to know the people you're communicating with.”
  3. Have clearly understood procedures, policies and rules. “Is it fair to hire someone, not tell them what the job is, and then criticize them for not doing it well? Absolutely not,” Erven says. “Whatever the critical tasks are, teach the procedures. Leaving employees to figure out how to do what they've been hired to do is a sign of poor leadership. Make procedures understandable, practical and simple. Have clear policies and rules to guide and explain the whys.”
  4. Show enthusiasm. “How many of you had a high school coach who announced, ‘We're going to lose all our games, but let's practice anyway’? I'm absolutely convinced that enthusiasm is an invaluable personal characteristic for bosses,” Erven says. “I'm talking about having an interest in your job and I'm talking about if sometimes you have to pretend to be enthusiastic until your bad mood passes, do it. Your employees don't want to know your problems. They want you to be enthusiastic.”
  5. Be fair. Consistently enforce rules, Erven says, and in all cases avoid bias, dishonesty and injustice. Doing this means you will be accused of being unreasonable at times, because you will make decisions based on careful reasoning, whereas employees often make decisions based on emotion. It's also wise to separate your personal world from your employee-boss world. “Be friendly with all the people you supervise, but be buddy to none of them,” Erven says.
  6. Show empathy. Just because you have to make decisions based on clearly defined policies and procedures doesn't mean you shouldn't empathize with your employees. Empathy, Erven says, is understanding the other person's situation. For example, two people are vying for a promotion and you choose Kendra over Kirk. “Who should get the news first? Kirk. Give him the chance to save face with everybody else by giving him the information first, rather than by learning it from Kendra coming away from your talk with a big smile on her face. That's showing empathy.”
  7. Display trust. “Believe in your employee's word, their integrity, their strengths, their assurance,” he says. “In other words, be in a position where you can trust the people around you. To have to say to an employee ‘I don't trust you’ is a damaging relationship.”
  8. Continue learning. You will never know all you need to know, he says, and there isn't a supervisor out there who is ready to manage a 2012 business. Many bosses have been supervising people for longer than some of their employees have been alive. “And you don't understand them.” But they're your workforce and you've got to continue learning to be an effective boss.
  9. Be flexible. “Adjust your leadership style for each person you supervise,” he suggests. “Delegate as much authority and responsibility as you can. That's part of being flexible.”
  10. Envision the success you're working to have. What is your vision for your people? What is your vision for your relationship with them? Having that clearly in mind will make it an easier goal to accomplish.

Grade yourself 
Erven suggests supervisors honestly grade themselves on each of these 10 points. “Then ask one of your employees to ask the same thing of everybody you supervise, anonymously. Ask a trusted co-manager or supervisor to give you a grade on each of them.”

Then look at the results. “If you gave yourself an A on communication and everybody else gave you a C, what's that telling you?”

Finally, develop a plan for improving your performance on these 10 items. “What will increase your chances of success? Having specific, measurable goals. And what will also increase your success is a coach, mentor, someone around you who helps you be honest with yourself and see the choice