Carol Connects

Is Time Your Enemy or Your Friend?

2009-08-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Yikes! I have been so busy with other projects that I have totally neglected this forum. Not a good thing, but I guess in life we all have to make 'time management' choices. Boy do I hate the phrase time management...I know, I know...we all have the same 24 hours! What we do with it is what really counts. I get it.
Here's my question. When you have multiple priorities and they ALL seem important, how do YOU decide what to do, what to defer, and what to drop from your list altogether. I'm listening!

Thought for Today

2009-05-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

I have neglected my blog for issues more pressing for my time. Today I wanted to bring you up-to-date on my current thoughts on social networking. BOY, are there a lot of people out there who just don't get it! I'm continually amazed at the resistance from otherwise intelligent people who are great networkers when they have a glass of cabernet in their hands, but can't transfer that skill to cyberspace.
I have been doing a lot of social media training as well as consulting with folks on social media strategy. While there is an abundance of curiosity, there is an appalling lack of knowledge and openness to try new things.
So my question today: Are you hearing things like, "I don't have time." "I don't like people I don't know having access to my information." "I want to protect my privacy." "Isn't it just for kids?" or my personal favorite... "Social media is just a fad." (Yeah, so was television 60 years ago!)
Any thoughts on how to unlock the minds and the hearts of those who don't 'get it' would be greatly appreciated!

Coaching Gets a Bad Rap

2009-03-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

During these tough economic times, people are reaching out more than every for a mentor or coach. Coaching, however, is probably the most mis-understood. Do you need a life coach? a business coach? a career coach? an executive coach?
I really want to know what your opinion is about coaching. Tell me what you think....what your concerns are about pricing...what value you think you would get out of coaching...and what kind of coach you are looking for.
This is not a sales pitch; it's a very informal survey. Would love your opinion.
If you're not sure but want a better explanation about the definitions of coaching, you can sign up for my free Tip of the Week. The article on this subject will be posted Sunday night, March 8th.
Chat with you soon! :)

The New Media

2009-03-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

I made a strategic decision today not to listen to mainstream media for the next 10 days. I'm not sure I'm ready to disassociate myself completely (hence the reason for the test period). But what I do know is that the consistent negative press is affecting my normally positive outlook. I refuse to give in to the opinions of others who relish the opportunity to preach doom and gloom when I know there is opportunity out there regardless of what the Dow did today.
Curious if there are others who feel the same way and would like to join me in the 10-day boycott?

Curious About Your Preferences

2009-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

The buzz about social networking and the options available has grown to thunderous proportions. Yet people I talk to are still confused.
What site is best for business?
How will I control who sees my information?
Won't it take too much time?
How will it help my business?
and the list goes on.
I'm currently conducting a quick poll on LinkedIn to test this very question. Stop by and give me your opinion. I'll post the results soon.
Thanks for your participation!
http://polls.linkedin.com/p/25091/jcypx

The Love of Linking

2009-02-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

It only takes a few days among the geniuses at Yanik Silver's Underground to recognize why internet marketers are experiencing wild success which the rest of the world is sucking their collective thumbs crying about the recession.
Opportunities come during recessions the same way they do when times are good. People succeed because of hard work, ingenuity, creativity, risk-taking, and yes, a little bit of luck.
Social networking is one of the BIG keys to success from the icons of cyber-space. If you have any doubt, you must be LinkedIn, Facebooked, and Twittering (at the very least). The community out there is waiting for all of you who are still sitting on the sidelines. Take the plunge and get connected today. It's fun, it's addictive, and it really works!

Leaders Must Lead

2009-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl Sunday seemed an appropriate day to kick off my new blog. Life is about competition, passion, commitment, sport, and community. While the entire world watches the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals duke it out on the field, I am planning my next play.

Those who know me know that I am passionate about leadership development, entrepreneurial success, and personal coaching. I am deeply concerned that one of the key components which will be necessary to pull us out of the current recession is leadership, yet every day I am faced with examples of poor, ineffective, or simply non-existent leadership. Where have all the leaders gone?

At a time when those in charge should be inspiring, directing, motivating, communicating, and listening to their people, they seem to be locked behind closed doors. We would like to believe that those private meetings are about strategy and innovation and growth, but one must wonder when cut-backs and down-sizings, while necessary, are not balanced by creativity and shared vision about a brighter future. Instead there appears to be abdication and selfish (often self-serving) decisions that further discourage those who are still working for the company.

Leaders, I implore you - tune into to your people. They ARE your greatest asset and they ARE your way out of the situation you are facing. Show sincere interest in their ideas, their concerns, and their feedback. Make a habit of emerging from behind those closed doors and connecting one-on-one. The results will amaze you!