What is Your Genius? by James Ryan, Lotus Development

Many managers are familiar with personality assessments used in hiring or coaching employees. The vast majority of these assessments measure behavior. Knowing a person’s behavioral style is important. It unleashes vast opportunities to maximize the potential our our associates.  I use DISC Index to measure behavior. Many are familiar with the DISC profiles. They are easy to remember and we can sometimes easily peg someone as a D, I, S, or C based on observing their behavior. Myers-Briggs is another well-know behavioral assessment.

A much less well-known model is the Attribute Index bases on the work by  Dr. Robert Hartman .  I’m proud to be affiliated with Jay Niblick of Innermetrix and co-author of What’s Your Genius.  He has developed a unique assessment tool based one the work of Dr. Robert Hartman.

In contrast to the behavioral assessments, the Attribute Index reveals our decision-making styles.  Then we apply that style to our external world and our internal self.  Hartman broke down these styles into three realms:

1. The Extrinsic Dimension: The Extrinsic is concerned with practicality and doing. Tactically oriented, the pure extrinsic focuses on doing SOMETHING without consideration of the effect on people or the big picture. We might call this the Hand Dimension, characterized by the old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.”

2. The Intrinsic Dimension: This is the Heart Dimension.  Guided by our hearts and empathy for a person’s or object’s true essence or uniqueness.

3. The Systemic Dimension: This is the Head Dimension. This dimension is concerned with ideas, thoughts, structure, procedures,  While they tend to see things in black or white, yes or no, they are also very effective at planning and measurement.

By measuring specific attributes – rather than behaviors – we uncover maximizers and potential blind spots. Armed with this knowledge managers can assign roles and duties more effectively. Self-knowledge allows us to build in support or seek development to compensate for our blind spots.

Hand, Heart or Head? Which one do you prefer and how do you maximize that strength?

About the Author, James Ryan:

James Ryan is the owner and Chief Development Officer of Lotus Development. He is a veteran of small family business, mid-size regional business and Fortune 100 companies. James has studied leadership, team-building and goal achievement from an early age. He has applied his knowledge in manufacturing, distribution, real estate, financial services and non-profit fields. This application focuses on implementation of strategy-based processes for continuous interpersonal skill development. His diverse experience enables him to transcend industry lines and to assist organizations in creating solutions to their problems. His execution of results-oriented, innovative approaches enables clients to tap into their hidden potential and achieve outcomes once thought out of reach.

Working with management and staff at all levels of an organization, James has facilitated the development of strategic and business plans, implemented mechanisms to improve internal communications and groomed managers, supervisors and leaders for their new and diverse roles. James is an active public speaker on the topics of goal achievement, effective communication, and life balance. He holds a degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago in Marketing.

To find out more about James and what Lotus Development can do for your organization, please visit their site at: http://www.lotusdevelopment.net —including signing up for their time management seminar coming this March: http://www.lotusdevelopment.net/announcements/need-some-time-strategies

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs

Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist

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812.336.1645 office

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How many of you don’t feel engaged in your work organization?  Meaning, how many of you dread going into work? Feel when you are there, you’re only going through the motions to get a paycheck? You’re not thriving in your productivity and creativity?

Well, Ladi Terry of Success WORK! offers a solution on how to make your organization more engaging.

HIGH ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS OUTPERFORM LOW ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS BY OVER 13%

by Ladi Terry, Success WORK!

Want to know how to get your organizational growth spiraling upwards in this current economy?  The answer is so basic and it doesn’t cost a cent.  According to a new book From Workplace to Playspace by Pamela Meyer, just released by Jossey-Bass, there is a 52% gap in operating income between high engagement and low engagement organizations. So, quite simply, getting your workforce fully engaged in all aspects of your organization results in increased net income, better job satisfaction and less turnover.

So what does a high engagement organization look like?

First the employees actually enjoy coming to work and are fully engaged in their job.  The culture is vibrant and workers thrive in this open atmosphere where they think creatively, question old assumptions and immediately respond to the unexpected. The impetus for coming to work each day is commitment and not simple compliance. Not sounding like your organization?

Keep reading…

Pamela Meyer rightly admonishes, ‘The idea that strategies that engage the whole person are soft, while those that target operational aspects of  organizational life are worthwhile, overlooks the very core of organizational success…the living, breathing people who must fulfill its mission each day’.   Go to www.successworkonline.com for more information.

CREATING A HIGH ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

In a new book, From Workplace to Playspace, Pamela Meyer reports on a study by Patrick Kulesa, involving 664,000 employees worldwide.  The results of the study show  there is  a direct correlation between productive play and engagement that leads to commitment.  If organizations create a ‘space’ where employees can be engaged in playing out possibilities, creating fresh ideas and considering new perspectives, they become committed to their purpose within the organization.  To learn more go to www.meyercreativity.com.

Real-Life Example  with Solution:

In 1995 when I assumed directorship of a Career Services department within a Michigan university, I transformed the once low engagement department into a fully engaged team of committed professionals.

Each day was a new adventure, another problem to solve or a new opportunity to develop as a high performance team.  Everyone worked to their strengths, we understood and leveraged what each of us brought to the table and we were all fully engaged in the process of success.  When I think back on all of the accomplishments this small team of six achieved over those eight years, I marvel when I compare them to schools four times
our size.  We were an award winning operation and generating funding that was twice our operating budget.

Want to know more….

So if you are looking at your bottom line and not seeing the results you want, begin taking a look at whether or not your organization is fully engaged.  Before you lay off the very individuals who can save you, start talking, involve them in decision making, challenge your assumptions and bring in high engagement consultants who can help you change your culture to create a high engagement organization.  Go to www.successworkonline.com for more information.

Meet Author: Ladi Terry

Ladi Terry, President of Success Work… Better Ideas, Better Results makes sure that your success as an organization is her business. A creativity practitioner, trainer and facilitator for over 20 years, she’s an expert on the creative process, group problem solving, team performance and change leadership. Her expertise in building and directing high engagement teams has led to a growth in net income, improved job satisfaction, a vibrant solution oriented workplace and  reduced turnover.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs

Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist

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Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

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by Debbie Mahler

*While Debbie wrote this piece during the Christmas holiday season, it is still important to remember these important tips throughout the year, especially with the start of the New Year and everyone trying to sell their wares because you need their products to be more productive in your business or to lose weight etc. Not to take a jab at those of us who sell legitimate products and services online.

I am the Facebook friend that Debbie is referring to. I consider myself to be one of the most cautious folks when buying anything online–if it can happen to me it can happen to you too!

Fortunately, it all worked out for me after going back and forth with the alleged vendor for giving me the wrong product and one I couldn’t use. I did get a refund and new debit card free of charge from my bank.

However, a lot of times buyers aren’t always as fortunate.

So if you don’t want this nightmare to happen to you anytime….I highly recommend you reading Debbie’s article. Please leave any comments for me or Deb and we will be happy to answer your questions in the box below. If you want Debbie to contact you personally, see the email in her bio.

A Facebook friend commented yesterday that an online site offering discounted software had ripped her off. The rub with her was that the site had a Trust logo, the Better Business Logo, and the C|net Certified store logo and she assumed that this was a trustworthy site. Wrong!

So, if you can’t trust the site offering all these supposed logo’s of trust, who can you trust?

Since the holiday shopping season is about to begin and our tech strategy theme is “It’s a TECH HOLIDAY!” I thought I’d use my friends experience to share some tips on how to shop securely and avoid the rip offs online.

First you have to understand that the trust logos are either purchased or allowed with (paid) membership to organizations.

For example, if I joined the Better Business Bureau for their membership fee, I would be allowed to use the BBB logo on my website and my shopping cart.

Now, that’s not to say the BBB doesn’t verify the person requesting membership! Don’t get me wrong. The problem is that some unscrupulous people can still get the BBB logo and use it until the BBB catches up with them. Or they’ll borrow a logo from another website and just place it on theirs!

The problem is that you have to REPORT the problem you’re having with the BBB in order for them to become aware that the seller is not upholding their end of the ethical bargain, or using the logo illegally.

Trust certificates like those issued by VeriSign and others are paid for also and the certificate issuer verifies that the company and person behind the company is verified to be who they say they are.

BUT! The trust logo is ALWAYS a clickable link that goes to a page verifying you are at the verified users site.

To demonstrate, scroll down to the bottom right of ubid.com and click the VeriSign logo!

If the links to the logos are not clickable, the site is not legitimate!

Tip #1: The first thing you need to do is check that company out with the BBB! Just seeing the sign isn’t a guarantee that everything is fine with this merchant.

As an example of this, you can look at BestBuy’s BBB account. You will see complaint after complaint. However, you will also see that BestBuy has done everything they can to resolve those complaints to the customer’s satisfaction! With a retailer the size of BestBuy, you have to expect problems – it’s part of doing business. But the fact that BestBuy resolves the complaints is what’s key here.

The warning sirens should go off if you check out an online retailers BBB report and you find complaints that are not resolved, the company refuses to respond, or that the account is brand new!

In the situation of my Facebook friend, she had tried to verify the site with the BBB, but due to the fact that there was little information about the company, was unable to do so.

Tip #2: Always look at the “About” page and the “Contact” page for information about the company.

On either of those two pages, you should find a legitimate company name and an address and customer service phone number.  If that name, address and phone number is not there they are hiding something.

Not to sell you while you’re reading this, even with my main website being under construction, you can clearly see on the address of the company and phone numbers clearly listed! And as I’m finishing up the shop and the support section of the site, it is clearly marked everywhere.

In the situation with my friend, it turns out while the company is listed in Ohio, there is no legitimate address, and the bank handling her charges on her credit card told her that the money trail goes to Australia and Russia. (Does Identity Theft ring a bell here?)

The truth is, if you’re in business, you should be a LEGITIMATE business and have a contact address and a customer service phone number.

Tip #3: Do a Google search on the company.

This of course, is predicated on the fact that you have a legitimate company name from the website.

The name of the company was clearly stated on the “About” page of this website my friend purchased from. So a simple Google search may have turned up something.

Along these lines, be careful though about sites like Ripoffreports.com or other consumer complaint sites that do not validate the claims of those reporting.

I used to swear by Ripoffreports until one of my clients had an issue with them – but that’s another blog post for another day.

Suffice it to say, that any website where the person can use a fake name and email to file a complaint, and then the company does not verify the legitimacy of the complaint, is useless.

So even though I recommend doing a Google search, keep an open mind what you’re reading.

I put much more credence in the BBB reports than I do one-off consumer complaint sites. But if you see enough negative across the web on a particular company, that’s a pretty good indicator that you shouldn’t do business with them.

Tip #4: Stick with known, credible sites.

While I stopped selling on eBay, I occasionally will buy from their sellers because I know I’m protected. If eBay doesn’t protect me, paying through PayPal does.

But there are other such sites like uBid, Amazon, and the like. There are many resellers on Amazon that offer exceptional deals on named brand items from Books to Toys and all things between!

By sticking with known, credible sites, you are guaranteed that the company backs their sellers and protects the consumers.

Tip #5: If the money trail leads to a foreign country, request your card be replaced with a new number.

Many scam sites will look legitimate in order to capture your credit or debit card number. It’s only a few weeks after the dust settles on your complaint you will find that your Identity has been compromised and new charges start appearing on that card.

Just be safe and request a replacement card with your bank of credit card company.

Tip #6: If you are scammed or ripped off, report it!

A lot of people are embarrassed when they feel they’ve been ripped off or scammed and fail to report it. Some even fail to report the issue with their bank or credit card to have the charges reversed figuring the money is irrecoverable.

Nothing is further from the truth!

If you’ve paid via a debit or credit card carrying the Visa or MasterCard Logo, you are protected for all your purchases! It’s just that simple.

Above all else, report the scam or rip-off to your bank, the Better Business Bureau, and if necessary, the FTC.

Also spread the word across your social networks. You are helping the Internet community become a better place by weeding out these unethical online retailers.

As you can see, just doing a little homework can save you a ton of headaches later.

So, in keeping with my Tip #6, here are the two sites my friend reported and you should NOT do business with these sites!

http://buyrealsoftware.com

http://brandwaresite.com/

If you have others where you’ve been ripped off, scammed, or had your identity stolen, please feel free to post a comment and we’ll add them!

Have a safe online shopping experience!

Meet Author: Debbie Mahler is the owner of MICE Training, Technology and Education™ where the technically terrified can find easy-to-understand computer & website support.  Affordable customized solutions – for your online peace of mind. She is also an online instructor for Ed2go, a division of Cengage Learning where she teaches security to individuals and security professionals.She can be reached at micetnt@gmail.com.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs

Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist

Blogger
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

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Keep coming back to check what’s going on the Lotus Writing & Communications blog. If you want us to cover a topic let us know.  We’re here to serve you. We help you save time, money and much more. So keep coming back for the update.

Contact us if you’d like to be a guest blogger, want us to review your book or write about you an your business. Thank you for those who have already said, “Yes!” We also appreciate the special holiday gifts too!

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs

Writing & Marketing  Strategist

Blogger
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
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Funny it takes the last day of the 1st decade of the 21st Century to actually mention something about books. LOL.

By the title, I hope you didn’t  think that I was running some online viral numbers racket….My viral pals  author interviewer & book reviewer Joey Pinkney and Elaine Jacoby are my literary muses for this piece.

Joey, whom I am very well-connected on several networks, posted on Facebook something about wanting to know what his ‘friends’ got to read for the Holidays and proceeded to post on his page and blog. Then remembering a book app invite from my friend Elaine over the holidays  on “Which of the 100 books have you read by the BBC?” I decided to post on Facebook and my blogs.

Anyway, Santa, Chanukah Harry, Buddha Bob and the cosmos were very good to me this season in the literary sense. I got 4 books.

3 signed copies:

• Susan Gunelius of Key Splash Creative‘s  “30-Minute Social Media Marketing”-I am quoted on  pp.170-171. (The 3rd book  I am mentioned or quoted in).

• Fellow 2009  “Rock The World with your Online Presence”  Winner, Mark Amtower’s “Why Epiphanies Never Occur to Couch Potatoes” and his “Selling to the Government–What It Takes to Compete and Win in the World’s Largest Market”. http://www.FederalDirect.net

Reviews and Interviews for these books will be on my biz blog, Amazon.com etc.

The 4th book: Eknath Easwaran’s “Conquest of the Mind–Take charge of your thoughts & reshape your life through meditation”.

Just so you know I scored 42/100 on Elaine’s  BBC Book quiz. Would have scored higher if I had finished all those Tolkein, Jane Austen novels, Rebecca and few others.  Did see a lot of those movie adaptations, I guess that’s putting my college degree to good use (BA, Telecommunications/Area Studies, Film Studies) to good use. Thought my score was funny since I am a writer.

If you are on Facebook and want to see how you fair in the literary department, here’s the URL: http://bit.ly/hKFORs .

So, what are some of your Holiday reads? What books do recommend this Holiday season? What books would recommend to propel us into 2011?  Got book?

I am looking forward to hearing from you….thanks for popping by and replying.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs

Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist

Blogger
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

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@2007 Elizabeth S. Isaacs

Oscar Wilde on Success

18th/19th Century Irish dramatist, novelist, poet Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) once wrote in a letter:

“Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the results.”

So Wilde is saying success is an exact art with all of its twists and turns? And if you can stand the ride, you will have tangible proof of your successes?

Let’s look at this more closely…..Wilde breaks “success” down in three parts:

1. Success is a science, so is this why many men of science i.e. Edison, Franklin, Newton and many others even those in non-scientific fields kept at it, until they got the results they wanted to with their many discoveries?

I really love the story of Edison’s famed reply when asked if he felt like a failure after 9999 tries at discovering the light bulb. He replied, “No, I now know 9999 things that don’t work in making a light bulb in his 10,000 step process (a big shout out to @shelhorowitz for catching it–U ROCK!).”

2. Ah, Edison touched on several of the implied variables or conditions that Wilde alluded to…perseverance, determination, resilience, faith, focus, mission, vision, taking risks, being true to oneself, positive attitude, never giving up…

3-So, if you use any or all these mentioned variables, you will produce some kind of valid results on your journey for success, right?

What qualities do you think makes someone successful? Which ones do you use? Which are you good/great at? Which ones do you struggle with? Which ones do you work on daily—some? All?

I look forward to hearing from you. As always, thanks for popping by.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs
Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

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Bestselling authors Bob Burg and John David Mann beautifully weave a delightful tale about Joe, our self-serving protagonist, a true Go-Getter in every since of the word, who is looking for a miracle to help his slumping sales quotas for the 3rd quarter so he can get the honors of getting his firm’s a huge account.

John David Mann brilliantly uses the literary device of a parable to tell this wonderful inspirational story.

His life changes when he takes his boss, Gus’s suggestion about he meets a stoic man name Pindar. Pindar tells him about the ‘the secret’ of being successful and the ‘Five Laws of Stratospheric Success’.

The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success are well-thought out, practical principles that anyone can use in every facet of their life. Each of the Laws coincides with one of the five characters Joe meets along the way. Five vignettes.

What are these five laws?

1-The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.

2-The Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.

3-The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.

4-The Law of Authenticity: The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.

5-The Law of Receptivity: (The hardest to accept): The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

In order to get the full benefit of the Five Laws, read the book…Once you pick up the book, you won’t want to put it down. The reader stays captivated in reading about Joe’s transformation and the several people he meets along the way and how things come full circle.

So, are a Go-Getter? Or a Go-Giver? …~Check out Amazon.com, to buy your very own copy and decide: The Go-Giver. Also, while you’re there check out Bob & John’s Go-Givers Sell More.

Look forward to your comments….thanks for popping by.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs
Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

Schedule an appointment

Lotus Writing & Communications website

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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

*http://thinkexist.com/quotes/marianne_williamson

Here is Ms. Williamson sharing her poem with us taken from the November 10 Days to Touch 10 Million Lives via www.wisdomfilms.com:

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Liz Isaacs
Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist
Writing & Social Media Coach
Author & Screenwriter
Teacher & Mentor

Lotus Writing & Communications
812.336.1645 office

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net
info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

Schedule an appointment

Lotus Writing & Communications website

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@2007 Elizabeth S. Isaacs

Creating Yourself

The outspoken famed 18th-19th Century Irish Dramatist, George Bernard Shaw once said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.“

That’s great to know that our lives aren’t like the self-help book store scene in When Harry Met Sally or is it?

Do we read all the self-improvement, social media, business and other books and newsletters? Attend all the applicable teleseminars, webinars and events?  Working on our whole branding packaging?

All of these are great questions, there is much more to ‘creating yourself’….

Here are just ten of the many ways you can create yourself:

1. As one of my dear social media inspirational viral pals, Chip Esajian, always says: “Be extraordinary”!

2. Embrace and celebrate your uniqueness with the world. There’s only one of you who can do what only you were designed to do.

3. Strive to be the best at what you do. Be the only one who can do what you do.

4. Promise to do what you say you will do and surpass or exceed all expectations.

5. “To thine own self be true”. Be true to yourself even when being of service to others. Don’t let yourself be a doormat to walked on or play the victim.

6. Life’s too short. Don’t hold on to grudges or resentments. Not letting go of the garbage is what often holds many of us back in achieving our goals in being successful.

7. Back to your uniqueness. Stand out. March to the beat of a different drummer….and of course, as my tagline goes: “Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.”

What are some of things you do on daily or long-term basis to create yourself? What are some of the many ways you ‘work smart. be heard. be remembered”?

I look forward to your comments….thanks for popping by.

Work Smart. Be Heard. Be Remembered.

Lotus Writing & Communications blog

The vast world is ours for the taking. For some of us, something happens to our creative and belief system. And we fall short of many of our hopes, goals, dreams and desires.

Why has our belief system changed?  What happened to the level of our commitment in accomplishing many of our goals as we did when we were children? Why shouldn’t we be as earnest or determined to accomplish our goals now as we did when we were  younger?  And some of us just plain gave up, feel hopeless, blame society etc. The list of questions and excuses we’ve told ourselves goes on  and on.

How do get what was lost back? How do we regain our power in taking responsibility for our lives. We are our the star, screenwriter, director and producer of the movie we call our lives.

Here’s a brilliant video from the folks at AdCom to further explain these changes to our creativity and belief system and how to take back our power:

How have your dreams or belief system changed? Have you given up? How to you regain the passion and desire that may be missing from your lives?

Feel free to add you comments, questions and other feedback. Thanks for popping by.