Latest "Newsletters" Posts
January 31, 2019
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. Fresh ideas can be a challenge!
That’s why I’m always looking for new presentation resources that will help get the creative juices flowing. Recently, these eight websites have been my go-to sites for extra inspiration and fun.
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: 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 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.
Art Skills: This is a great resource if you’re creating posters or flip charts. You’ll find products like stickers, craft kits, even lights designed specifically for posters!
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 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: Even professional trainers can find it difficult to create tools and icebreakers that are fun and meaningful. Trainers Warehouse solves that problem with thousands of games, awards, toys, and other teamwork- and recognition-building supplies.
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.
What are your favorite presentation resources for spurring creativity? Let me know in the comments below.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Newsletters, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged Creativity, Resources, Presentations, Reports
December 5, 2017
The holidays are always such a magical time. When I first smell that sharp, festive scent of scotch pine in the winter, I know the season is finally here. My family and I celebrate Christmas, and I just love getting into the spirit of the season by listening to Christmas carols and wrapping all the gifts.
My family has a pretty funny history when it comes to gift wrapping. We have gone through several present-wrapping phases. There was a time when we wrapped everything in newspaper, saving money on gift wrap and recycling old newspapers in the process. It was always fun to see what headline you got. A few years later, my sister-in-law made us all reusable gift bags, and we started putting Christmas presents in these bags. However, we always seem to go back to the colorful paper and ribbons, even if wrapping presents with gift wrap takes more time.
I don’t always have time to wrap gifts myself. Some years, I hire a teenager to lend me a hand and do the gift wrapping. It’s a nice opportunity for a young person to earn some extra money during the holidays. Hiring someone else to take on gift wrapping also helps me from getting overly stressed by everything I need to do during the holidays.
During the holidays, we can be doing a lot of dining and entertaining. Women in particular have a tendency of wanting to do everything — I know this from personal experience. There’s this desire to attend all the events, make sure the food is delicious, the house is perfect, the presents look pretty sitting under the tree, and be the best hostess at every event. It is incredibly demanding and can take a lot of the fun out of the holidays, but one strategy can help you finish your to-do list without all the stress.
If you are in charge of planning an event — such as an office party, a family gathering, or even a Christmas caroling outing — start by identifying everything that will need to get done. Pick out the tasks you will most enjoy doing and assign those tasks to yourself.
Next, print out the rest of the tasks on individual slips of paper and put them all into a hat. Pass the hat around to everyone who will be attending and have them draw a task at random. Each person who will be attending the event now has a role in putting on that event. Delegation can be a very important tool when planning, yet it’s not something everyone takes advantage of.
This method can be very beneficial in the professional settingl. Everyone is chipping in and working together as a team toward a common goal. People can practice teamwork while getting to know their co-workers better.
Whatever tasks this time of year brings, I find that when to-do items can be shared or delegated, everything gets done, and you can still enjoy the pleasures of the holiday season.
Happy holidays!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Newsletters and tagged etiquette tips, Holiday stress
December 4, 2017
The holidays are such busy time of year and there is often a sense of obligation when it comes to who to send cards to–and that can add to the stress of the holidays. If you haven’t sent your cards out already, you know what I mean. You’re busy!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
November 21, 2016
Supersize these nuggets, then share them with others. Have fun networking!
- When you meet people at a networking event, shake hands, smile and look them in the eye. Greeting people warmly is always welcome.
- Have professionally designed and printed business cards available to give on request. Better yet, make a point of asking others for their cards . . . that way, you can follow up and not wait for them to contact you.
- Listen well when talking with others. Use your eyes, heart and brain as well as your ears to engage in a full conversation. Never look over the person’s shoulder to pick out someone “more important.”
- Take opportunities to praise people for the contributions they make. Letting them take a bow makes you both feel good!
- Make a point of regularly connecting with people on your key contact list, even when you aren’t requesting something from them. They will feel nurtured by your outreach.
- Follow up your networking conversations within a day or two (that’s why you ask for the other’s card). Graciously follow through on any agreements you make—and do it as soon as practical.
- If you’re in a conversation with people who are badmouthing others, do the reverse. Say positive things instead; “goodmouth” them as recommended by Susan Rhohan.
- Acknowledge what others do and who they are by sending cards, emails or letters. Frequently congratulate those in your networking circle on their ideas and achievements.
- Always ask people how you can help them accomplish their goals. Get specific details and follow through on what you promised. Doing that will build loyalty and trust every time!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters, Business Etiquette, A Page of Insight, Etiquette Edge and tagged etiquette tips, networking etiquette, networking tips
May 21, 2014
On Mother’s Day, we pay tribute to our own mothers and grandmothers as a way of thanking them for the sacrifices they made for us growing up. But there are other women who have made an impact on your life, or the lives of children, that deserve to be honored on that special day in May.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
January 9, 2014
Going to a spa is on my list of favorite things to do! It doesn’t matter if it’s a destination spa or a day spa where I live–I love it all!
I have been to spas in Asia, Europe, Australia, South America, North America and on the high seas. And spas keep getting better and better — providing more ambiance and exotic services. They rarely disappoint.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
November 9, 2013
“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.”
~ Robert Caspar Lintner, early 20th-century writer
This quote get bounced around the Internet at this time of year and serves as a reminder that being grateful isn’t something confined to the holiday season. Whether you celebrated a Canadian Thanksgiving last month, or gearing up for the busy season that launches with the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, you know that this is the time of year when being thankful is a hot topic at the dinner table.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
March 9, 2013
5 Places To Avoid Using Your Cell Phone
Everywhere you go, people are chatting on their cell phones. The grocery store, doctor’s offices, and even in the bathroom! Marketing agency, 11Mark, conducted a study last year – polling 1000 mobile-toting Americans about their bathroom and tech habits and the results might surprise you. They certainly surprised me!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
February 9, 2013
I recently shared a challenge on my blog that I’d like to extend to you: 3 Habits to Start Creating Today.
To set a new standard for interacting with others, please incorporate these three habits and share your findings with me. I love hearing about your results.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
January 9, 2013
At this time of year, when so many are trying to lose those extra holiday pounds, health clubs and gyms are busier than ever. With the influx of people in and out of the gym.
So what’s the biggest etiquette pet peeve of a typical gym-goer? Leaving the equipment sweaty.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
