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Have you ever been in the position of having to digest the content of a book in a short period of time?

When you provide professional development you find this fairly common. I have been invited in on many occaisions and been handed a book with the preface, “this is what we base our model on.” But, more often than not the book in question doesn’t outline a model at all. Instead it is an autobiography or a narative about a previous successful venture.

If I want to keep my client happy and provide a product that will work for them I must develop techniques for digesting this kind of material in short order.

Here are a few of my favorite strategies:

1. Change the headings and subheadings into questions. Instead of “Establishing Goals and Expectations,” I substitue “How do I establish goals and expectations?”
   • preview the chapter. 
   • take a piece of painters tape and stick it over the heading
     • Avery labels work well for permanet changes
   • write directly over it with a pen or marker.
2.  Eliminate the Superfluus. Instead of highlighting key points, mark through unnecessary information.
   • use a soft artist pencil and mark right through the superfluus
     • You can use a piece of clear acetate if you don’t want permanent changes (but I don’t).
3. Use an Information Timeline.
   • building a timelines helps make logical use of names, dates and important events and creates visual connections.

I hope you find this useful. What tips can you share?

I am a personal and professional development consultant. I spend a lot of time developing training material to meet the needs of my clients.

For the past year I have been working with a network of about 10 other very talented consultants. Initially we shared office space and secretarial staff.

Recently (geologically) we have begun to share more. As each of us is considered to be particularly strong in our area of discipline we have begun to cross train each other in order to build upon our ability to serve our respective clients.

One training I provide is designed to emphasize how people process information  in different and unique ways. It is designed for participants in leadership roles and near the end I admonish the leaders to “continue to do good.”

As I reviewed this concept one of the consultants a former teacher said,”Of course they can’t really do good.”

I immediately assumed this was a reference to the inherently flawed nature of man theory, and said something to that effect.

Whereupon the consultant replied, “No one can do good. You can do well. But, no one can do good. Good is an adjective. Well is an adverb. You mean continue to do well.”

About this time the conference broke up. And I changed the slide to reflect the correction.

But, you know, the more I thought about the nature of good, the more I felt that good is exactly what I want my clients to be able to do.

So, if you ever need me and I come to help you don’t be put of when my presentation encourages you to continue to do good.

good - morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good person.

Good is exactly what I want for you.

The great thing about online publishing is that anyone anywhere regardless of age, education or experience can publish anything they want. The bad thing about online publishing is that anyone anywhere regardless of age, education or experience can publish anything they want.

The result being there is a lot of junk out there. And you have to wade through a lot of that junk to find the keepers.

So, how do you know if you are getting the good stuff? Well, you can make sure you only use information found via services like:

• Librarians Index to the Internet,
• World Wide Web Virtual Library,
• The Invisible Internet
• Infomine,
• Internet Public Library Reference Center,
• History Matters,
• Google Scholar

 That is not to say this is an exhaustive list. If you are of an adventurous sort you can follow up on link lists from someone you trust. The only caution is to beware of the telephone game. Remember the childhood game in which one person whispered a message to the next person in the change and when the last person shares the message it is completely different from the initial message. That phenomena occurs with sharing of links. When you explore the links you may find that many have very little to do with the topic at all.

You know you’re a success coach if…

1. …you go to the optomitrist and are inspired to share a message about the values of viewing life from different perspectives.
2. …you stand looking at PVC pipe at the hardware store, explaining to the helpful clerk, “I was just thinking what a great metaphore this creates to illustrate channels of communication.”
3. …you go to the produce section of the grocery store and the rotten fruit causes you the think about the tragic loss of unshared ideas.
4. …you see a tree as a great model to demonstrate decision choices.
5. …moleskin has more to do with ideas than rodents.
6. …you watch the news to find out where you can help.
7. …you have ever compiled a Functionality log (or know what one is).
8. …you think it is quite normal for the average person to have a mission statement.
9. …you view valid assessment of you is something only you can do.
10. …you have nudged someone to the answers for ALL of the following questions

• what am I trying to achieve?
• what am I will to do to reach this goal?
• what resources will I need?
• how will I know when I have succeeded?
• what is my deadline for success?

What kind of  dog are you?

Just as the temperament of a dog is the best predictor of how successful that dog will be in any particular family so does your underlying temperament determine the behaviors you are most comfortable portraying.

Try to find yourself in the following seven  outlines to find how best to implement your own life path.  

There are 6 major types the Dachshund, the Golden Retriever,Labrador, the Mastiff, the Chihuahua, and the Saint Bernard.

Are you a Dachshund?

Dachshunds are clever, active, courageous to a fault, and display a loyal and affectionate disposition. Although, reserved with strangers they are neither shy, timid nor unfriendly. They are well known for being devoted companions.

Dachshunds are intolerant of the least variation from the rules and leap immediately to enforce the slightest infractions.

Are you a Golden Retriever?

Golden Retrievers are quiet and content with the life they are living. They are often shy and subdued, finding too much frivolous activity bothersome and distracting but not usually to the point of actually requiring action.

The laid back nature of the Golden Retriever may actually allow some problems to drag on too long and potentially escalate.

Are you a Labrador?

Labradors are friendly, loyal and eager to please. When its social time, Labradors have a lot of fun and frolic about.

Problems may arise when there is a need to take charge. The Labrador doesn’t want to give up that “let’s all be buddies” attitude.

Are you an English Mastiff?

Mastiffs are a combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility, dignity rather than gaiety, quiet power annoyed by displays of frivolous flash. 

Mastiffs depart from their relaxed authority position and take rapid action if they perceive their territory or honor has been or may be compromised.

Are you a Chihuahua?

Chihuahua’s are spirited and courageous, they enjoy working and playing and will appreciate others ,they are very intolerant demonstrations of hurtful behaviors.

Chihuahua’s are not well suited to rapidly changing environments and get wound up and highly agitated if something catches them off guard.

Are you a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernard’s are tranquil, faithful, committed to the family group and the raising of young. They are always friendly and dependable.

They are impatient of shy retiring behavior which they see as a bid for attention. They may sometimes see heightened levels of activity as frivolous.

Caution. Find the method that best suits your nature. Being a Chihuahua who is acting like a Saint Bernard is comical at best and a recipe to create all out mutiny at worst.

The CIA and the NSA have built a fair profile of what a spy may “look like.”

1. A Bachelors Degree, rarely more.
2. Solid academic record, not outstanding.
3. Interest in inter-business and international affairs.
4. Solid interpersonal skills.
5. Solid communication skills.
6. Frequent traveler.
7. Interest in foreign languages.
8. Prior residence outside the area.
9. Possible prior military experience.
10. Experience in business and/or economics (but with deficit skills in their own finance management).
11. The person is usually between the ages of 21-35.
12. Previous work in law enforcement or corrections.
13. May be considered a loner, not a joiner.
14. No police record.
15. Hobbies include martial arts, scuba, hunting, proficiency with firearms, chess, math, avid reader, may write prolifically or play a musical instrument, etc.
16. The person may be interested in training manuals and field guides.

In other words, just about anybody who would make a good employee. The key is to look for unusual groupings of these skills. Most people will meet 3 or 4 of the criteria. Those who meet 6 or more should be considered possible candidates.

What about a corporate spy?

Domestic corporations are now recruiting “competitive intelligence practitioners” to help them learn more about activities within other firms in their industry as well as to help protect themselves against spies from competitors. As a part of their work, these specialists try to probe within the ranks of their employer - just to see how easy it would be for outsiders. Then they try to plug the leaks before actual spies from other companies can do real damage.

It’s not really cloak and dagger stuff. It’s more along the lines of “I’ve learned everything I can from you. Now I’m going to use this as leverage for more money somewhere else.”

This section completes a ten part series concerning confidentiality and security.

Describing A Spy

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=415

Office Traitors

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=414

Business Brain Cramps

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=413

Starbucks Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=412

Recording Devices

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=411

Cell and Cordless Phones

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=410

Hacking Passwords

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=409

Pop-In Spooking

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=407

Office Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=408

Waste Archeology

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=406

Security Overview

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=404

Many people love nothing more than to stir up hate and discontent wherever they go. They will intentionally uncover and publish sensitive information. It is fun for them. In order to find out why they do these things I have done a lot of debriefing with them when an incident occurs.

Some will sell you out for the right price. The right price might be as simple as someone asking, “So, what confidential things are you working on these days?” You really wouldn’t believe what people have told me in answer to that question. Keep sensitive information on a need to know basis.

Another source of compromised confidential information is the office traitor. They also have a price. The price may have been paid the last time they were insulted, degraded or unappreciated at the office. One the other hand, there may be an actual monetary price for which a trusted associate can be turned.

Here are some characteristics of those you may need to keep an eye on.

1. Passed over for raises.
2. Passed over for promotion.
3. Those experiencing significant financial difficulty.
4. Those who gamble.
5. Those that employ recreational pharmaceuticals (including alcohol).
6. Those involved in labor and management disputes.
7. Those always be on the lookout for the next big deal.

This post is part of a 10 piece segment of a series which polishes and updates some of the more popular security posts I’ve written.

Describing A Spy

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=415

Office Traitors

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=414

Business Brain Cramps

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=413

Starbucks Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=412

Recording Devices

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=411

Cell and Cordless Phones

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=410

Hacking Passwords

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=409

Pop-In Spooking

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=407

Office Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=408

Waste Archeology

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=406

Security Overview

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=404

Next to going through the trash, the most vulnerable area for exploitation in the typical office is the human brain. You can have an excellent security plan and if it isn’t implemented it is of no use at all.

Here are a few of the major offenders in the office:

1. Unsecured offices, cabinets, drawers and doors. Take a five minute stroll through your office and jiggle some doorknobs and cabinet handles.
2. Files left on the desk over night. How many times has five o’clock rolled around and you walked toward the door and noticed confidential files left out on desks?
3. Group passwords. School systems are notorious for this. Not only do most school sites utelize the same site identifier used as the username, but they use the same password as well. Do a Google search and you’ll get more than a million hits on “student hacks school.”
4. Company phone directories. Most large corporations publish a directory. The directory not only publishes the names and numbers but the job title as well. I can’t imagine an easier way to get information through misrepresentation.
5. Desktop Rolodex. Flip through the office supports Rolodex and you’ll be shocked at what you find. I once worked with a woman who kept her boss’ full name, social security number and birth date in her Rolodex. Scary.

This post is part of a 10 piece segment of a series which polishes and updates some of the more popular security posts I’ve written.

Describing A Spy

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=415

Office Traitors

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=414

Business Brain Cramps

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=413

Starbucks Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=412

Recording Devices

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=411

Cell and Cordless Phones

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=410

Hacking Passwords

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=409

Pop-In Spooking

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=407

Office Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=408

Waste Archeology

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=406

Security Overview

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=404

This post is part of a 10 piece segment of a series which polishes and updates some of the more popular security posts I’ve written.

If you want to find out what your biggest competition is up to just drop into the coffee shop next door.

There are three major ways in which information can be compromised at Starbucks and the amount if data you can mine depends completely on how scrupulous you are. The same is true for your own secure information.

1. Show up and have a cup. You would be shock how much information you will overhear in the coffee shop. It is a virtual salad bar of information. Any time staff members congregate the tendency is to discuss work. Unfortunately being in the company of colleagues gives us a false sense of security and we have a habit of discussing things that should be restricted to the office.
2. Surfs up. Favored watering holes of staff members typically have wireless capability. And who among us hasn’t taken our laptop along for a working break? Free wireless access typically has just about as much security as you pay for. None.
3. Pick up lines. Just the other day I stopped into a Starbucks and I recognized a friend who had stopped between locations to get an information fix. He popped open his lap top, hit the Internet, sync’d his pda and flipped open his cell phone. I caught his attention at the counter and said, “Dude, Hoover dam called. They had to change the power grid because of you.” He smiled and came up to the counter to say hello. Leaving all his tech on the table.

It was a crowded shop. Anyone who wanted to steal his data could have casually picked up any of his equipment and strolled right out the door.

Other leaking pipelines.

• Office Lunch Room
• Office Break Room
• Office Elevator
• Trade Seminars (any off site meeting place)
• News Stand

I know I haven’t exhausted all possibilities. What security leaks can you add to the list?

Describing A Spy

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=415

Office Traitors

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=414

Business Brain Cramps

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=413

Starbucks Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=412

Recording Devices

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=411

Cell and Cordless Phones

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=410

Hacking Passwords

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=409

Pop-In Spooking

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=407

Office Espionage

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=408

Waste Archeology

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=406

Security Overview

http://elementaltruths.com/?p=404

At the request of Priscilla Palmer I’m posting a short list noting some of my favorite personal development sites. But, rather than just list a name and a link to the site, I want to give a brief “how come” for each site.

1. Open Loops by Bert Webb.Bert offers a very eclectic look at personal development. Although some of his posts would certainly qualify as life “hacks” making things simpler and efficient the best parts of his work are those that add qualitative suggestions.
2. Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin.Seth works mostly on topics concerned with marketing. But, he does some really interesting work on communication that I find fascinating. I don’t always AGREE but I do find it fascinating. Plus the guy is just obscenely successful.
3. Make it Great! by Phil Gerbyshak. Phil is plethora of positive energy. If you need a recharge on you professional OR personal development Phil is your guy.
4. Say Leadership Coaching by Rosa Say. Rosa writes about leadership in a way that speaks to the spirit of a true leader. If you are a seeker of truth you will find a kindred spirit in Rosa Say.
5. Ben Arment Dot Com by Ben Arment. I haven’t been reading Ben’s work for very long, but I can already tell I like it. He has a humorous get down to it perspective on things. Read his article The Gospel of Home-cooked Meals and you’ll find a nice lesson about the importance of hospitality in getting things accomplished.

There are many more folks I look to for personal development but these examples give an insight into why I like an eclectic approach to such things.