July 2008 – Vol. V, Issue 3

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Recommended Resource: Connect Professionally via LinkedIn
by Sara Hurd, CFCC

This is pretty old news, but I realized that I hadn’t yet suggested LinkedIn (linkedin.com) to my readers. I also read a great book recently called I’m on LinkedIn–Now What??? by Jason Alba that refueled my interest in LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a tool to expand your professional network. It helps you connect (or reconnect) with people within organizations so that you can network, stimulate conversations, and brand yourself. It’s also especially helpful if you are a job seeker or are actively managing your career. But only if you actively use it!

One of the newer features that makes networking and personal branding even more powerful is the “Answers” tool. You can ask a question to your network and their connections, answer questions that others have posed, and browse answers to get information. I also really appreciate the “Recommendations” section. It’s nice to receive good recommendations, but it’s even more fun to give them and to read recommendations for people I know.

If you haven’t checked out LinkedIn, you can see my profile and connect to me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahurd.

Sara Hurd and Keyway Strategies, LLC specialize in helping executives and small business owners have healthy relationships with themselves, others, AND their businesses. Read more about our coaching services.

The purpose of Success in Harmony is to provide practical and inspiring tips for balancing success in all areas of life.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Feel free to use this article anywhere, as long as the resource box below is included.

Resource Box:

Sara Hurd, BSW, Certified Franklin Covey Coach (CFCC) and graduate of Legacy Learning Coach Training, has been a coach for Franklin Covey Company beginning in 1998. She has used her skills in product development and training to develop and deliver coaching and coach training programs for Professional Education Institute. In 2003, Sara founded Keyway Strategies LLC, a coaching company specializing in helping small business owners grow their businesses, navigate a sea of technological tools, and create healthy relationships with themselves, others and their businesses. Sign up for her free email newsletter at http://www.keywaystrategies.com.

___
Keyway Strategies, LLC
keywaystrategies.com
4487 W 2575 N
Ogden, UT 84404
801-732-0932
sara@keywaystrategies.com

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February 2008 – Vol. V, Issue 2

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Recommended Resource: JibberJobber, career toolset

This year, the United States seems to be in an economic slump. Employees feel that they have even less job security than before, if they ever really had any. It’s time to begin contingency planning, networking, and promoting your personal brand in the marketplace.

Luckily, there is an online toolset that can help you manage the complexity of activities that surround networking, career management and job searching. JibberJobber is a powerful tool that lets you manage your career, from job search to relationship management to target company management (and much more). JibberJobber is free for life with an optional upgrade. JibberJobber is a fantastic tool–it even allows coaching to link their accounts with their clients’ and monitor job search / networking activities. But one of the best features is the blog, which includes helpful tips from someone who has been there: Jason Alba, who designed the toolset during his own job search in 2006. It is quickly becoming the most important tool for career management.

From the About Us page:

If you want to learn more about JibberJobber you can:

• Listen to a podcast interview (about 40 minutes) with Jason, by Peter Clayton. Peter is the leader in podcast interviews in the employment space.
• Read a rather comprehensive blog post by Dave Mendoza, expert recruiter and consultant.
• Read (and subscribe to) Jason’s blog, found at http://www.JibberJobber.com/blog

Sign up for a free account and consider upgrading to get extra conveniences when you really need them. To see what others are saying about JibberJobber click on the testimonials link.

On a related note, Jason is also the author of I’m on LinkedIn, Now What??? and I’m on Facebook, Now What??? Gotta love the three question marks; it seems to really capture the frustration that we feel when we’re told we should get a profile up but don’t really know what to do with it.

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January 2008 – Vol. V, Issue 1

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Recommended Resource: Jott Yourself!

One of my new best friends is a service called Jott.com. Jott offers you a toll free number to call after you register your home phone number and cell phone number (so they can match your call to your account), and will translate your voice message into text. You can send a message (email and/or text message) to yourself or to anyone in your contact list. You can even “Jott” services like blogger.com, rememberthemilk.com, twitter.com, amazon.com, Google calendar, and many more.

The way I typically use Jott is as follows:

• Something occurs to me, like something I need to take care of, someone I need to call, etc.
• If I have my hands full and can’t put it in my PDA or Outlook right away, I call Jott.
• I Jott “myself” with the reminder, and it ends up in my email inbox a couple of minutes later.
• I then put the reminder into my task management system or calendar.

I find myself regularly using Jott when I’m lying down for the night and I remember something I need to take care of. Instead of pulling out my PDA, I just grab the phone that’s right by my bed and Jott myself. Excellent!

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November 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 10

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Recommended Resource: Simplify Your Holiday Cards for Years to Come

Last year, for the first time, I sent all my holiday cards without touching an envelope or stamp. It was an amazing experience–I even reconnected with several friends with whom I had lost touch and who had not been on my card list before. Not only that, but I actually sent my holiday cards; in previous years I always intended to get it done, but my follow-through was hit-or-miss.

SendOutCards makes it incredibly easy to design and send your holiday cards. They will print your customized holiday card using gorgeous, full-color, professional printing, then they will address, stamp and send it for you. If desired, your message will be in your own handwriting and with your own signature. And this year, they’ve added gifts into the mix. Not only can you send gift cards or gift checks, but you can now add gourmet caramels, cookies, hot chocolate, a selection of gourmet coffees or teas, or even brownies to the card you send to an extra-special customer, friend or family member. View the gifts selection at https://www.sendoutcards.com/cgi-bin/trncustomer.pl?static_gifts_giftspage1.

If you’re interested in learning more, send me an email and I’ll tell you how to send a couple of cards at my expense. I’d love you to see for yourself how revolutionary (and inexpensive, too!) this online system truly is, not just for holiday cards, but for sending your love and appreciation every single day.

Note: SendOutCards recommends that you send your cards and gifts by Thursday, December 13th for delivery by December 25th.

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October 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 9

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Recommended Resource: Streamline Typing with Texter

I have recently begun using a simple utility on my computers called Texter. It is a text replacement program for Windows that allows me to create shortcuts that will replace the abbreviation with longer text at the press of a key. Texter is an exclusive f’ree download available at the blog www.lifehacker.com. So far, I have configured a date-time stamp, multiple email signatures, contact information, letter and email closings, standard html coding, even email text that I use frequently. It’s better than application-specific text replacement or autocomplete, because it can be used in any application you can type in, including your internet browser. According to the description page, “Texter saves you countless keystrokes.” I’m all for that!

Read more and download at http://lifehacker.com/software/texter/lifehacker-code-texter-windows-238306.php.

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September 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue8

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Recommended Resource: Upcoming “Dream Big” Concerts

A couple of years ago (amazing that it’s been that long!), I introduced you to one of our family’s favorite musical artists, Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand. Their music is fun and inspiring, and their live concerts are amazing.

Well, I’m revisiting Ryan and his Band now because they’re headed east! They have several upcoming concerts on the east coast, and I’d love for my subscribers back there to experience a live show. The list of upcoming shows is below. Don’t waste any time; they’re coming right up!

You can learn more about Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand at http://shupe.net/

Upcoming Concerts:

September 20 — Arlington, VA
Venue: IOTA Club
Address: 2832 Wilson Blvd
Time: 9:30 PM

We are back in the Nation’s Capital for one night only. This will be a cool exclusive show in a hip club for fans who want a truly unique live experience.

Check

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-sZbuhzxPpB63M%402747966-tElk6Y.hKUmjI

for more info.

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September 21 — Floyd, VA
Venue: Sun Music Hall
Address: 302 S. Locust St.
Time: 9:00 PM

Come and join us for an evening of rocking mountain music in the hills of Virginia.

Tickets:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-gWO4NjmqlXMRQ%402747967-/yGUjk/MlOdvI

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September 22 — Asheville, NC
Brewgrass Festival
Address: Martin Luther King Jr Ballfield
Time: 3:30 PM

Up in the hills of North Carolina is an annual festival like no other. We’ll be playing along side such standards as Buncombe Turnpike and Kenny and Amanda Smith.

Tickets:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-2F0aaMWWjLrH.%402747968-E9SKwyccKWhMI

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September 24 — Carrboro, NC
Venue: Cat’s Cradle
Address: 300 E Main St
Time: 9:00 PM

Tickets:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-HTpgvE/NOLLB2%402747969-7mex1SS/Y7ycU

or call (919) 967-9053

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September 26 — Winston-Salem, NC
Venue: Ziggy’s Club
Address: 433 Baity St.
Time: 9:00 PM (doors open at 8pm)

Tickets:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-dLxUs7FxyOFmA%402747970-NhA9NaFizaRYw

or call 336-748-0810 (credit card orders)
336-748-1064 (phone)

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September 27 — Greenville, SC
Venue: Gott Rocks
Address: 200 Eisenhower Dr.
Time: 8:00 PM

check out

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-gv0hiGUxVmtrw%402747971-OgypXYmyvITkI

for more info… or call 864-230-2611

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September 28 — Decatur, GA
Venue: Eddie’s Attic
Address: 515-B North McDonough St.
Time: 7:00 PM

This is a great venue and we are glad to be performing in the Atlanta area again!

Tickets:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-tPe4KzXGskrxk%402747972-rgDBpINnEKP/c

or call (404) 377-4976

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September 29, 2007 — Huntsville, AL
Big Spring Jam
Address: 700 Monroe St SW
Time: 4:30 PM

Join us for the biggest music event in the Southeast!

Tickets:
Don’t wait in line… get advance tickets at

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-2F0aaMWWjLrH.%402747973-OYAT8IUc3wbac

or call (256) 551-2359

see all other info including a huge list of great performers at this event at:

http://m1e.net/c?72246040-KDRLHv2BasSlk%402747974-F7cZkWpQpbwLA

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August 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 7

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Recommended Resource: The Inc. 500 Online Conference

Inc. Magazine and Inc.com are sponsoring the upcoming Inc. 500 Online Conference from Sept. 6th – Sept. 8th, 2007. This is the virtual component of the Inc. 500 Conference being held in Chicago, Illinois. With presenters like former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Executive Coach Dr. Marshall Goldsmith and more, you’re sure to find something that interests you. And… it’s free to register! Click here for more.

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July 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 6

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Recommended Resource: Winning in the Margins Presentation

I have already recommended Richard Paul Evans’ The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth. One of the most powerful lessons that Richard describes in his book, and, incidentally, the lesson that he could not find in all the other books about wealth-building he researched before beginning his writing project, is called “Win in the Margins.” It’s also the one lesson that he acknowledges has had the most to do with the speed of his own financial success. In fact, his first best-selling book, The Christmas Box, began as a book for his daughters and, when he received a large number of requests from friends and family for a copy, became a winning in the margins project.

Best-selling author Richard Paul Evans has shared his “Winning in the Margins” philosophy and several examples in a f’ree online presentation at http://winninginthemargins.com. Enter the passkey sarahurd to view it.

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June 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 5

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Recommended Resource: Musicovery

Some of my colleagues have already heard me recommend this fun resource, but I have been really enjoying Musicovery (www.musicovery.com) recently. It’s an online music player that allows you to choose your listening based on your mood, selecting genres that you want to hear. It also allows you to choose music that prompts dancing (or not) as well as the dance tempo. You can even select time periods, so if you want to hear only ’80s music, you can slide the selector brackets to either side of that decade. There’s even a “discovery” option, which will play little-heard music. And, if you want to learn more about an artist or purchase music, there are convenient links on each musical selection to Amazon, iTunes or eBay. Although some online radio stations or online music players don’t include classical, this one does. So if you like a little brain music while you’re working, Musicovery does the job.

Unfortunately, this type of online radio may soon be a thing of the past. Pandora, another well-loved online music player, has alerted subscribers to a recent ruling that has drastically increased the royalty rates for webcasters and will be retroactive back to January 1, 2006. This ruling will effectively put most internet radio stations or music players out of business. You can learn more, and perhaps join the fight to save internet radio, at www.blog.pandora.com or www.savenetradio.org.

Maybe you’re thinking that high royalty rates for broadcasting music online is a good thing. Perhaps, but only for major music labels for artists that are “packaged” and already well-known. The music discovery via the internet movement that has been building, benefiting the independent artist and struggling band of talented musicians, will suffer a huge setback. Playing music over the internet legally, paying reasonable (not strangling) royalty fees, makes sense for everyone. For that reason, I support the Internet Radio Equality Act that is currently being considered by the United States legislature. If you are interested in voicing your support, contact your representatives in Congress.

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April/May 2007 – Vol. IV, Issue 4

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Recommended Resource: Half.com

Are you in the market for a book? Maybe you’ve heard of it, can’t find it at the library, just want to read it and don’t care if it’s new. Half.com has a great selection of used and new titles. Some you can purchase for less than a dollar plus shipping. Half.com is an eBay company, so your search results will also include any related auctions.

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