Don’t be too quick to say “NO”

I regularly speak about topics such as job searching and keeping a job from an employers perspective to high school students and other adults. Recently, several people suggested writing about employee retention from the employee’s perspective.

– a basic guide to what everyone should know about employment agreements

Tomorrow I am speaking to a high school careers class about “How to find a job,” and it is a topic I am quite passionate about. During my preparation I was reminded about helping a friend understand their employment agreement. This “Tool Everyone Can Use,” is a very brief guide to learning more about your rights when it comes to employment agreements whether you are new to the workforce or just have questions about your work agreements, particularly for small and medium-sized organizations.

Playing “The Game” Well

I look for inspiration everywhere, in the people I have know, in the people I meet, in everything I see, feel, or touch.

Most recently I was inspired by a documentary on Ernie Coombs, the man who was Mr. Dressup on the CBC. I had been working on a post about how to succeed though building others and he provided the impetus to finish this post.

The people we don’t see …

Three years ago, I left the world of business and charted a new path in the charitable sector. I had always thought I was well informed and knew what was happening in my community. I was completely wrong. I am grateful for the people who volunteer and work for the United Way and the Canadian Mental Health Association for helping me to see what I couldn’t see before.

I have reentered the business world, but I am forever changed by what I learned to see, and hope to help other people see, what many of us miss every day.

Turning the page on price focused marketing

Marketing and advertising is all about us; however, the vast majority is just “noise,” and too many small and medium-sized merchants get caught up in that noise. Today’s post is about “turning the page on price” to focus on those things that add value for your customers and clients.

TOOLS EVERYONE CAN USE – A guide to groceries

Inflation, shrinkflation, rising costs are hitting everyone from all sides. This is a short guide to some simple tools that everyone can use or share with someone who could use a little help making their food budget work.

Please take a few minutes and see what you think, if you have your own ideas to share, please add them to the comments.

For students of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens

Recently, I listened to a story about how an entire generation of students are writing exams for the first time and that inspired me to write this post about how to prepare and write an exam. Whether you are one of those students; a high school or college student, or a professional preparing for a course exam; there should be something in this post to help you.

Common Sense, the least common of all senses, and Lesson’s Learned.

Learning from mistakes, encouraging feedback, and applying lesson’s learned should be common sense … you would think. Unfortunately this is not always the case. One of the most important “Tools Everyone Can Use,” is incorporating some method of applying “Lesson’s Learned” to things you or your organization do.

Overcoming Stress and Anxiety

I have lived with stress and anxiety all my life. Each day I feel them. Usually, I can manage their effects using some of the coping tools I have learned. Some days are better than others. I know that I am not alone in feeling this way. Give me five minutes of your time and maybe some of my tools can help you or someone you know.

Learning More about Mental Health and Addiction

I have just finished a 6-month stint working for the Canadian Mental Health Association and was inspired by the incredibly dedicated people who devote their careers to making a difference.

Collectively we need to know more about these issues because they will affect one in four people this year. As we learn about mental health and addiction we need to share what we learn to eliminate myths, eliminate stigma, and to understand how we can help our friends, our family, our coworkers, and our neighbors. Consider this post to be just a very brief beginning of that journey.