want - verb: 2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire

Introducing the BlackBerry PlayBook

Once, while running thru an airport to catch a connecting flight, I was listening to my voice messages on my BlackBerry.  I finished listening just as I got on an escalator and took stock of who and what was around me.  The gentleman behind me handed me a Starbuck's card.   I waved my hand in protest.  What a weird thing, I thought...to just give someone a Starbuck's card..?!  He explained that he was a representative for BlackBerry (gave me his card) and did this sort of thing as a marketing tool.  Ok, I thought, why not...so I took the card.  He asked what company I worked for.  Turns out he managed the company's account.  Unfortunately, I no longer have his card.  So, here is my plea:  Please Mr. Starbuck's Card Carrying BlackBerry Sales Rep, if you are one of my avid blog readers, first, thank you...please become a follower, and second, PLEASE, can you hand me one of these next time you see me at the airport?  Thank you, in advance.

Top workplace pet peeves and etiquette mistakes...

After working from a home office for almost four years, I'm not sure I could survive in an office environment.  As I read the article below, flashes of pet peeves flooded my memory from the days of yore.  Here a few that I remember the most vividly:

• I wrote my name on my calculator because I thought it would prevent others from taking it without asking.  It would disappear often and I felt like a mouse in a maze looking for it all the time.  I quickly learned to look at my cubemates' desk first.
• You stole the Mrs Fields cookie I bought and was saving for my 3 o'clock coffee break.  I know you did.
• Fellow sales people with nothing better to do would linger at my cube talking about their personal issues... not interested, thank you!  Waste someone elses time.

What are some of your pet peeves? Please share, I think it would be cathartic, not to mention humorous, to get them out in the open...


Top workplace pet peeves and etiquette mistakes - USATODAY.com

A night at the MIM...

Last month my husband, Matt, and I enjoyed a night out at the MIM, the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ.  It was by invitation of the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association that we got to go.  The Chamber Winds ensemble gave a wonderful one hour performance and the food and beverage set up was amazing.  It was all compliments of Bob Ulrich, founder of the MIM and member of the university's Board of Trustees, not to mention former CEO of Target Corp.  As you can see from the photo, I was probably the youngest alum by a good 20 years.  Our good fortune allowed us to get introduced to the president of the museum, Bill DeWalt, while standing in line for refreshments.  And Bob Ulrich sat three empty seats down from Matt.  It was a fun, free, night out on the town.  Thank you UST...go Tommy's!

Break Time! Time for planning...

At the beginning of every month, when I put the new Franklin Covey calendar into my planner, I take a look back at the previous month just to make sure I haven't missed anything, forgotten to do something, or didn't follow up on something that should be followed up on.  This month I went to my favorite coffee shop to enjoy a skinny vanilla iced (decaf) latte while I went down memory lane.  This ritual of taking a break from the daily barage of emails and phone calls - ok, I haven't experience a "barage" lately, but the good news is that I am getting busier as the economy slowly inches toward improvement - where was I?  Oh, yes, taking a break allows me to get focused and actually be strategic in my planning for the days and weeks ahead.  Leads and follow up calls get listed as "to-do"s in a neat single sheet and my travel plans usually all get ironed out while doing this simple 20 minute exercise.  What rituals do you have to help get you re-focused?  Please leave a comment....

Thank You Notes

What is the protocol these days on a hand written thank-you note?  Is email ok?  What if I don't like the gift? What if I thanked them in person?  My husband loves to send hand written thank-you notes and it has made an impression on people he works with as well as friends and family.  He likes to design them himself and purchase unique cards from unique shops or arts & craft fairs.

According to the article below, by LESLIE HARPOLD, "As extra motivation, I will also grudgingly tell you the hidden secret of thank-you notes: They improve the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. People like being appreciated, and if they feel you actually notice the nice things they do for you, they’re more likely to give an encore performance."

I could be better at sending a hand written note.  I like getting them so I imagine others do too.  How about you?  Below is a nice kick-in-the-pants guide to writing a thank-you note.  Enjoy!

How To Write A Thank-You Note