It Works!

What does?  Can you guess?

After 13 years in this business, I KNOW it works!

What am I talking about?

In case you haven’t guessed already NETWORKING!

Yesterday’s 1230 TWC Bexley meeting was another great example of how networking works.  Admin help was needed in a growing business, sat opposite was….  a VA!  Yes, you’ve guessed it, they soon became locked into discussions as to how they could work together and quickly put a date in the diary to discuss further.  But it doesn’t always work as quickly as that which is why it’s so important to be consistent and attend networking events regularly to build those lasting business relationships.

Coming into the mix, help was needed with employment contracts, independent business advice and hands across the sea with our sisters over in Spain, so I was delighted to be able to make the connections there!  And I’m sure business will result.

Today was Bromley’s turn.  The 1 minute talks and 2 speakers opened up fascinating discussions that we could never have guessed from previous conversations with those there.

And the connections, collaborations and business continue to grow.  Yep – it works!

Have you ever wondered about salutations?

Have you ever wondered about salutations? That is how you are addressed in letters, emails…

How do you feel when you receive a letter addressed to you as “Dear Jackie Groundsell” as in Dear [1st name last name].  It really, really, really, really, really bugs me!

It shows to me that “someone” really hasn’t thought out the Fields for the respective database.  It doesn’t take a lot of effort to add in 2 extra Fields.  If you don’t know about “Fields” in a database, think “column headings”.

So for example – don’t forget, column headings – Field1 could be “Title”, Field2 “1st Name”, Field3 “last Name”, Field4 “email address”.  In the above example “Dear Jackie Groundsell” Field2 and Field3 have been combined into one Field which include 1st and last names.

Breaking down the Fields in the way described gives the flexibility of the salutation being Dear Mrs [Title] Groundsell [last Name], or Dear Jackie [1st Name] – Dear Jackie Groundsell is just plain WRONG!

See how easy it is to get the right salutation?  Hope this helps.  Give me a shout if you need more.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 14 Drink cold water

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Your body burns calories when it warms the water up to body temperature.  Drinking 8 glasses of ice water a day burns about 60 calories.  It also keeps you hydrated and alert.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 13 Body stretch

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Once an hour or so, get up from your chair and do a full body stretch.  Touch your toes and extend your limbs to their fullest and relax

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 12 Eye exercise

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Look up then down 10 times, repeat for down then up, repeat for left to right, repeat for right to left.  Rotate eyes from left all the way around 10 times, repeat rolling from right.  If you are at your computer for long period of times, optometrists recommend following the “20-20-20” rule, ie for every 20 minutes spent focusing on your computer screen, spend 20 seconds focusing on something else 20 feet away.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 11 Laughter

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

More and often!  15-20 minutes a day of laughter burns 40 calories a day!

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 10 Knee raise

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Sitting upright  take one knee and raise it towards your chest.  Hold for up to 20 seconds.  Rest and repeat with other knee.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 9 Back extension

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Sit upright with your hands placed into the small of your back.  Push your hips forwards and your shoulders back, arching the spine.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 8 Side bends

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Interlock your fingers behind your head.  Make sure your feet are place in lin with your shoulders, and then lean over to one side to stretch.  Stretch upwards with the top elbow.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Tip # 7 Chest stretch

Desk-side exercise – and lose calories!

Sit or stand with elbows bent, interlock your fingers behind your back; straighten your arms, turning your elbows slightly in, squeezing