Latest "Business" Posts
January 21, 2020
Note: This popular post has been updated for 2020. Happy creating!
In public speaking or business presentations, passive is passé — but it can be tough to break out of a creative rut and find just the right phrase or hook to keep your audience engaged. I should know. I present before audiences hundreds of times a year. Fresh content can be a challenge!
That’s why I’m always looking for new helpful resources that will help get the creative juices flowing. Recently, these have been my go-to sites for extra inspiration and fun.
One Look
One Look: This is a one-stop shop for just about any word you can think of. Type in “bluebird,” for example, and you’ll get a list of definitions from 29 sources, plus a list of what the word means in various industries, professions, and casual situations (tech, medicine — even slang). You’ll also get synonyms, rhyming words, usage examples, and more.
The Noun Project
The Noun Project: I think this website is so much fun! Type in any word and The Noun Project will match your word with an icon. I like to use them for PowerPoint presentations — much more useful and unexpected than standard clip art.
SlideBean
SlideBean: SlideBean is a godsend if you struggle to create professional presentations — and it’s a wonderfully intuitive alternative to struggling through PowerPoint. Choose a professionally designed template, create your slide deck, and then share it with your team. You can even ask one of SlideBean’s designers for feedback and assistance or to revamp an existing slide deck. The first presentation is free, but the pricing is reasonable after that.
SketchBubble
SketchBubble: This site is in the same vein as SlideBean but offers an astounding 150,000 templates. It’s also great if you don’t love PowerPoint and instead choose to work in Apple Keynote or Google Slides — you’ll find templates designed specifically for those platforms. Plus, SketchBubble has a new Diagram Finder that makes it easy to plot your words to visuals.
Rhymer
Rhymer.com: Rhymes are great for developing memorable turns of phrase. Rhymer.com offers ideas for any type of rhyme you might need: end rhymes like blue/shoe, last-syllable rhymes like timber/harbor, double rhymes like conviction/prediction, and more.
Title Generator
Title Generator and Portent’s Content Idea Generator: I like to use these sites when I’m stumped for ideas. You need only one keyword to produce hundreds of title options in seconds.
Trainers Warehouse
Trainers Warehouse: Even professional trainers can find it difficult to create tools and icebreakers that are fun and meaningful. This terrific resource solves that problem with thousands of games, awards, toys, and other teamwork- and recognition-building supplies.
Clean Jokes
1,000 Best Clean Jokes from Reader’s Digest: This site is a great resource to stimulate humorous thinking, even if you’re not looking to add jokes to your speeches and presentations. You’ll discover riddles, one-liners, and many more.
Unsplash
Unsplash: If you’re tired of standard stock photos, Unsplash is the site for you. You’ll find thousands upon thousands of artistic stock photos, ranging from topics such as current events to travel to film and beyond. Each week, Unsplash provides curated collections of timely stock photos so you don’t have to spend hours searching. And the best part? It’s all free. (Of course, it’s good etiquette to give the photographer a credit.)
Canva
Canva: Canva has amassed a near-perfect rating in app stores because it is one of the simplest, easiest ways to create beautiful designs. You can create just about anything — including business cards, presentations, flyers, and more — by using Canva’s simple click-and-drop design feature. It’s especially useful for creating eye-catching social media posts and is definitely one of my most helpful resources.
What are your favorite resources for spurring creativity? Let me know in the comments below.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Entrepreneur, Business, Communication and tagged Creativity, Resources, Presentations, applications, computer, SlideBean, Noun Project, SketchBubble, One Look, Title Generator, Rhymer, Readers Digest
January 14, 2020
I travel more than the average human. During any given month, I might be crisscrossing my home country of Canada, flying to Sri Lanka, and planning a trip to the Netherlands. I’m very fortunate that my job takes me to so many beautiful places, but the reality of such frequent travel is often not very romantic!
After years of trial and error, I’ve developed a series of travel hacks that will help you breeze through airports, keep messy reservations in order, and even prevent pesky luggage wrinkles.
Track Everything
Keep all of your logistics, such as flight information, hotel addresses, car services, the names of drivers, and ground transportation options in one place. I rely on an app called Tripit, but you may choose to use Notes or Wallet in your iPhone or even a binder with hard copies. The method isn’t as important as consistency. Get in the habit of filing away new pieces of information every time you make arrangements so you have all the information you need at your fingertips. When hiccups inevitably occur, you’ll be armed and ready. This is one of my favourite travel hacks by far!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Business, Travel, International Etiquette and tagged travel, business, apps, flying, airports
December 3, 2019
You’ve got the office holiday party invitation and the date is around the corner. What do you wear? Should you come alone? Are you thinking about taking a pass? After all, you see the same people everyday — right? Here are some tips that answer the why and how of office party etiquette so that you can face your boss on the Monday:
Say yes to the invitation
If you are wondering if you should go or not – that answer is Go! Your absence will be noticed! If you have never met the CEO or President, introduce yourself. This is a good opportunity to influence your career.
Single or Double?
Find out if the invitation is for you alone or does it provide the opportunity to bring a guest. If the invitation does not say, check with your manager or HR department before you attend. If the answer is yes, make sure the person you invite is someone who will comfortably mingle without you during the evening.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Christmas, Business, Etiquette Tips and tagged Christmas, Christmas party, office holiday party, work party, workplace
October 15, 2019
Weddings are probably the most common event where #toasting etiquette comes into play. The emcee, the groom, the best man, the person toasting the bride and even from the bride herself may give toasts. We’ve heard them all, from exceptional toasts to the worst toasts. My work associate told me about her wedding 26 years ago when the best man stood up to toast the bridesmaids. “The bridesmaids look lovely and the food was good.” Wow, OK. Not the worst toast I have ever heard, but certainly not the most exceptional or memorable.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Business, Personal development, Uncategorized, Dining Etiquette, Etiquette Tips, Wedding Etiquette and tagged toasting etiquette, wedding, Toasting, emcee
October 8, 2019
Are you bringing your A game when you pitch your products or services?
You’ve worked so hard to build your business — think about the hours, the energy, and the money you’ve spent.
With so much on the line, it’s essential to nail the perfect pitch.
Your pitch is your shot to storm the big leagues and impress the investors who can make or break your future. It’s a big risk.
It’s time to bring your A game.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Entrepreneur, StartUp, Business, Pitch Conference, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged entrepreneur, startup, Pitch conference, webinar, funding
October 2, 2019
I went to an event recently that brought up a lot of memories.
I was in the audience of Women’s Pitch Night Vancouver, listening to women make their cases for their business ideas. As I watched these talented women pitch, I realized the needs of women in business haven’t changed much since I started my career in the very masculine oil fields of Alberta.
Bringing Ideas To Life
We need help fleshing out our ideas and bringing them to vibrant life. Women face an uphill battle as entrepreneurs. We’ve gained a steadier foothold in business over the past 50 years, but we still lack the support structures we need to start our own businesses. For example, we’re less likely to find women in the upper echelons of the business world who can mentor us, share their own experiences, and help us take a kernel of an idea and help it thrive into something bigger. According to search and leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder, only 54 percent of women have access to senior leaders who also serve as mentors.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Entrepreneur, StartUp, Business, Communication and tagged business, women, entrepreneur, pitching, mentoring, startup
September 10, 2019
Connecting people. Empowering the Community. #VSW2019
Vancouver Startup Week (VSW) is a week-long celebration that builds momentum and fosters connections among entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and friends within the Greater Vancouver startup community. In 2018, VSW brought together more than 2,000 people at 108 events, including investor showcases, panel discussions, office visits, and networking events.
This year, from September 13th to the 20th, attendees will be able to experience events that cover everything startup related; from scaling up with growth strategies and venture capitalism to networking and VR related tech. Also available are the returning favorites such as the Recruitment Fair and Hackathon.
What’s new? Vancouver Startup Week is adopting a more streamlined and organized approach to their event calendar. That’s why for VSW 2019, they are announcing event tracks to help you find the events you’re looking for, much more efficiently. Events tracks include funding, founders, growth, technology, and networking. Check out the schedule to discover your favourite events.
I am pleased to be partnering with @vanstartupweek and supporting the startup community here in Vancouver. Join me at noon on Monday September 16th at UBC Robson Square, Room C1900 for my presentation, “Pitch Like A Pro”.
Join VSW in celebrating the success of some amazing local entrepreneurs at #VSW2019. Use the promo code 20-Community to get a 20% discount off the regular price at https://vanstartupweek.ca/.
See you there!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Entrepreneur, Business, Communication
