the cooking light

When interviewing prospective recruits or to get people focused on what is important to them, I often ask people a simple question to provoke them to think and to talk, although not always in that order. One question I often use is for people to think of themselves on their deathbed and consider “What am I proud of in my life“.

The objective of the question is for people to be able to remind themselves what is most important; self-enlightenment, self-career, self-education, friends or family. For many people who are caught up in the hurly burly of day to day life, focusing on what is really important is difficult.

Another question is for people to imagine themselves at their retirement function and what reputation would they be proudest of in their retirement speech. Is it the reputation of being a specialist, a carer of people, a leader, a manager of people or an achiever? The objective being to understand what about their work motivates them the most. The answer is what they concentrate on in their job.

In the world of change management, the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson (co-author of The One Minute Manager) provides a series of statements and questions provoking the reader into understanding what is stopping them from accepting, embracing and looking forward to change.

The book story is a simple parable of four characters who live in a “Maze” and look for “Cheese” to nourish them and make them happy.

Two are mice named Sniff and Scurry. Two are “little people”- beings the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names are Hem and Haw.

“Cheese” is a metaphor for what you want to have in life- whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual piece of mind.

“The Maze” is where you look for what you want- the organisation you work in, or the family or community in which you live.

In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what he has learned from his experience on the maze walls.

When you come to see “The Handwriting on the Wall” you can discover for yourself how to deal with change, so that you can enjoy less stress and more success (however you define it) in your work and in your life.

To get a full understanding, you have to read the story, but here is some of the “Handwriting on the Wall.”

Change Happens.

In the book, they keep moving the cheese. In real life technology changes, aging populations, easy capital movements, migration flows and the ever increasing ability to access knowledge enures that change will continue to happen.

Anticipate Change.

In the book, the characters who anticipate change find the new cheese first. In real life those who can anticipate change beat the competition whether it is coaching methods in sport, share market movements or career.

Monitor Change.

In the book, the suggestion is to smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old. In the real world it may be about sensing when you or your organisation is in a rut and life is changing around you.

Adapt to Change Quickly.

In the book, the characters, except for Hem, learn that quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy the new cheese. In the real world, we often carry the baggage of fixed positions inappropriate for a changed environment.

Change.

Move with the cheese. In the book, the characters who move with the cheese find new cheese and prosper whilst Hem fades into obscurity. In real life the people who actually make the changes needed in their life to accommodate changes in their environment succeed more often than those who do not.

Enjoy Change.

In the book, the mice learn to move to the new cheese by trial and error, learning to anticipate change without thinking. Haw learns to savour the adventure of change and the taste of the new cheese. In real life the journey of change can be enjoyed with the repeated excitement of doing something new once it is mastered.

Be Ready to Quickly Change Again and Again.

In the book, the cheese keeps moving. In real life, change is not even constant. It is accelerating as technology grows exponentially.

If you are managing change consider the following from the book; “If you do not change, you can become extinct”. Use the statement to provoke a reaction and get a discussion going.

Then ask the people you are managing and yourself the question; “What would you do if you were not afraid?” Their answers and your answer may surprise you.

Kevin Dwyer is Director of Change Factory. Change Factory helps organisations who do do not like their business outcomes to get better outcomes by changing people’s behaviour. Businesses we help have greater clarity of purpose and ability to achieve their desired business outcomes. To learn more visit http://www.changefactory.com.au or email kevin.dwyer@changefactory.com.au

To see more articles visit http://www.changefactory.com.au

Tags: change, change management, management, managing change, who moved my cheesechange, change management, management, managing change, who moved my cheese

Share This

Sounds like dangerous work, doesn’t it? Butterflies can be very perilous. Everyone has caught them at one point, but there must be a way to tame or even overcome them!

Studies demonstrate that glossophobia or fear of public speaking is the number one source of anxiety in the United States. That translates to more than just a few harmless butterflies. For the businessperson, in a small company or a large corporation, the ability to speak coherently and persuasively is a skill vital to one’s success. Unfortunately, the fear of speaking in public holds many otherwise confident people back from realizing their potential.

A fear of public speaking can be a disaster for the sales person or anyone in fact, but not to worry. Speaking skills are easy to acquire once the fear is overcome, diffused or controlled. The trepidation that is associated with public speaking revolves around fear of the unknown, the fear of forgetting, the fear that there will be questions you can’t answer and the fear of the heckler or disgruntled audience.

These 10 points will get you past those difficult moments when you next have to face the audience. Remember you have something important to say; otherwise you wouldn’t be there. Think of your presentation as teaching. Your audience is there to learn from you and you are giving them something of value

1. Write your own introduction. Someone else is probably going to introduce you. Write your intro yourself, making it brief, pertinent, and emphasizing your credentials. This is also the place to inject something humorous to loosen up your audience.

2. Know your audience. Do a little background research. Know exactly who is going to be in the audience, why they are there, and why they invited you to speak.
TIP: It’s always helpful to interject industry buzzwords appropriate to your audience.

3. Check out the speaking venues Go to the facility early to make sure you’re comfortable in the surroundings. Check the microphone, lighting, audio/visual equipment, and any other factors that may affect your performance (especially the room temperature). Greet the audience as they arrive. This is a great way to build rapport and change strangers into acquaintances. It also allows you to get advance questions and feedback from the audience.

4. Start out strong. The first 30 seconds have the most impact. Don’t waste these precious seconds with unimportant information. Come out with a startling statement, quote, or story that immediately engages the audience.

5. Limit your topics. If you’re giving a half-hour speech, don’t expect to tell the audience everything you know. Pick two or three important points. Embellish your points with story and examples.

6. Be careful with the jokes. Don’t use a joke unless you are absolutely brilliant at delivering it. If you bomb, you’re going to lose some of the credibility you have. If you humor is your thing then intersperse it throughout the program.
TIP: Funny elements can be a great segue in to the next component of your presentation.
TIP: If you are really nervous you can make a joke about it.

7. Outline your information. You and your audience will remember your points better if you have a path for the topic. For example, start by saying, “Here are the five questions I’m asked most” or “Here are the five things you need to remember from my presentation.” Then proceed and elaborate each one. Its helps to quantify the number of points you will be delivering.

8. Use handouts if needed. If your presentation involves statistics and analytical data, put them in a handout that the audience can refer to. Don’t bore the audience by reciting numbers.
TIP: Handouts are best given at the end that way the audience will be looking at you not the handout.

9. Don’t read your speech. It’s the worst way to deliver a topic. Look frequently at the audience. Write down key points or statements so you can refer to them, but deliver the rest of the presentation spontaneously and make eye contact. Practice with a tape recorder or in front of friends and family. After every point, ask yourself, “Who cares?” If the answer is “No one,” then omit that sentence.
TIP: This is not just an old adage; it is true . . . practice, practice, practice!

10. End strong. Write a memorable closing statement or use a vivid example. Then, memorize it, so no matter what distractions may occur you can always “deliver ” At the end, deliver your closing line directly to the audience, and then accept their applause.

Finally have a back up plan. Have notes if the projector doesn’t work. Plan additional ways to engage the audience if your content isn’t grabbing them.
Relax; enjoy the experience and happy speaking.

Tips for before beginning the program:

Check makeup and use the rest room.

Wear an outfit you have worn before. Don’t wear something brand new that you may feel uncomfortable in. Don’t wear anything that requires adjusting like tight skirts or pants, low cut necklines, etc.

If you always wear pants, don’t switch to a skirt just because you are speaking to a male audience, Instead brighten the outfit up with an attractive pin colored blouse or chic jewelry. Stay away from bracelets that jangle.

Scarves are bad unless you always wear one and have learned not to fiddle with it.

It’s OK to wear red. In fact studies show it is a color men prefer for women in the business environment.

Look at something blue for 30 seconds before you take the podium. It has a calming effect.

Run your fingertips lightly up and down your arm for several seconds it reduces the stress hormones.

Have someone you know and trust in the front of the audience. Focus on that person until you are over the jitters that will go away after you get started.

Always have a glass (no ice) of water at the podium or readily accessible.

Don’t drink hot or cold beverages before speaking.

Adjust the mike to your height if possible before speaking.

If it’s a luncheon program eat sparingly (so you stomach doesn’t growl) till the presentation is over.

If your hands are shaking, grasp (don’t clench) the sides of the podium or lectern.

Don’t cross your arms (negative body language).

Learn to do something with your hands. Use them to express a point or use them as a visual aid to point to the screen.

Move around the room. Make sure you have a mike (lavaliere) that allows for movement.

Act confident and you will feel confident.

Discover the easy way to make yourself stand out from others. How to become an expert in your field; How to write a better resume; How to write a personal press release; How to accomplish things no one else is doing and to get people to think about you in ways they have not thought before and much more including critical checklists for those important business meetings.

This indispensable workbook will show you specific ways to accomplish your personal branding goals and launch your career into the stratosphere. We have done all the work for you with guidelines, cheat sheets and easy-to-use templates to customize for your own use.

So don’t put off building your brand any longer. Don’t wait till your associates get your promotion or raise or even a better job.

Order Packaging Yourself now @ http://www.packaginguniversity.com/pkgustorefront.htm

If you find that the strategies and tactics in these materials don’t work for you or in your business, we don’t feel like we should keep your money. We want you to try them for 30 days with zero risk.

Tags: conference, marketing, personal branding, presentation skills, sales, self promotion, speaking, visibilityconference, marketing, personal branding, presentation skills, sales, self promotion, speaking, visibility

Share This

Military personnel at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo, Bay, Cuba allegedly desecrated the Quran (Koran) by flushing its pages into a toilet. The news has sparked media interest in the states, and outrage in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East. Anyone following world news has probably seen a number of articles reporting on the Middle East riots that have occurred as a result. The Quran is the name of the Muslim holy book, and is the guide to the Islam religion.

During the week prior to Memorial Day, thousands of protestors took to the streets in the Middle East. About 15,000 turned out in Pakistan at various locations. Many single locations had 1,000 or more people conducting demonstrations. In Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka, about 5,000 people rallied after Friday prayers, spitting on U.S. flags, kicking them and then burning them. They shouted “Death to America!” and “Destroy America!” Many carried copies of the Quran, held over their heads. At another location, the crowd was heard chanting, “We will cut off the feet that desecrated the Quran!” Other incidences included tomato throwing at U.S. embassies, burning of dolls that represented president Bush, and additional offensive threats to the United States.

In our humble attempt to look at this from a greater viewpoint, here is our view:

Whether it is Quran flushing, Bible-burning, or other forms of desecration to a religion’s holy book, news of this action typically sparks a pointed emotional response from the book’s followers, and that emotion is most often anger. The definition of religion by World Book is “the belief in, and worship of, a God or gods.” ‘Worship of’ also implies ‘obedience to’. The major religions of the world believe that people outside of their own worshipping sect are sinners, because they are not in obedience to the higher power that is perceived to be the one true God, or many true gods.

Until the formation of the U.S. Constitution, a country’s religion had extensive influence over the leaders and policy of their country. Such associations in times past has led to corruption and abuse of power, and authority of the country being shifted from political leaders to the dominant church of the time. In the United States, our forefathers set up a government that separated church and state, with the intent of eliminating the church’s controlling influence on federal government. With so many varieties of religion and even great variance within the major religious segments, these influences would have serious effect and consequence to affected government(s), in ways that our founders believed would be unhealthy. The argument that our forefathers were all church-attending Christian men, and that for that reason ours is to be a Christian nation. It is interesting that in a congress of such “like believers” that these founders still concluded that a powerful church can corrupt the laws of a nation, and such risks needed to be managed at the forefront. Perhaps their experiences from England of the mid 1700’s played a pivotal role in the separation of these influences.

Most Americans today still share this view of separation, if they give the topic some serious thought. On the flip side, it is often impossible for one to separate his or her religious views from responsible decisions that they may be making within our government system.

A true “believer” of the Christian, Islam, Hindu, Buddist, or any other faith would refuse to make political decisions that are contradictory to his/her own belief system. Doing so would make the political leader a non-believer. At the very least, such action (supporting certain laws or bills) can be viewed as “facilitating people to sin”. In this perspective, it then becomes impossible to separate church and state to the extent that many would like to see without screening all political contributors at the beginning of their campaign to ensure they are atheist. A person’s religious viewpoint and holy book by which they live will affect their votes, business decisions, and political agendas.

If it is nearly impossible to separate a person from the religious view they hold, and government is made up of people and their collective decisions, then it becomes nearly impossible to separate “religion” and “state”. What the U.S. does instead is to separate “religious institutions” (churches) from wielding their influence over the powers of the state. Atheism itself becomes a religion for those who profess it, as they vindictively point the finger at their religious counterparts. Interestingly, many do so with the passion of any religious zealot.

Now, to bring this article back to the Quran. The internet is loaded with websites that reference the Quran, and entire versions of the book can be reviewed. Other help files that reduce the amount of text into general topics also aided in bringing us up to speed. There is no way we can do justice to the book of Islam in this review, but from the information we have collected, our opinion is this:

The Quran spends a great deal of its pages reiterating that Allah (God) is the one and only creator of the universe, and that he is ever-present and all-knowing. It talks about ethical treatment of fellow believers. It is the one non-Christian religion that recognizes Jesus by name and references Jesus in more than 90 verses. The Quran follows the major points and historical accounts of the Holy Bible up to the point of Jesus’ death and resurrection account, where it completely parts company. The entire Quran was written by one man, Muhammad, approximately 500+ years after Jesus, from his own visions that he claims to be given to him by God. Vast percentages of its text are devoted to crushing the Christian philosophy and condemning Christians and Jews alike. Muhammad sees the triune God as polytheistic worship, and strongly condemns it. He urges Muslims to fight against people who practice this culture, and especially against those who wish to bring about Christian/Jewish conversions. The word “fight” or “fighting” appears 47 times in a text that is only 148 pages long. (.pdf file in Adobe format) While not all of these reference a physical fight with people of a different belief, many make reference to exactly that.

Which brings us back to the May 2005 demonstrations and riots concerning the Quran. These people feel they are being obedient to the writings of their holy book by becoming enraged at its desecration. “Peace in the Middle East” quotes that have been campaign statements of so many U.S. presidents becomes nearly a joke while Islam is professed because for the Arabs to have “peace” with Christians and Jews in near proximity would be a sin. While parts of the book do make positive statements about Allah’s peace and of peace with Arab brotherhood, much of the Quran focuses on negative statements toward Christians and Jews, both groups often being referenced together. While many Muslims do not take the literal text of their holy book to this extreme, there are apparently many that do. This is a most serious and complex matter at best.

To be fair to the Quran, the Bible in its literal sense is also very commanding in its directions with regard to practicing sinners and to sin in general. It is this literal text that fuels the fires of the religious right in responses to present-day issues such as abortions, gay lifestyles, divorce, and other disobediences by Biblical standards. It also makes reference that all people who do not view Jesus as the Holy Son of God, and His death and resurrection as the Atonement for sin will burn in the fires of hell when their earthly life is over.

It is sad to find that two holy books.the Quran and the Bible..can honor the same patriarchs, the same prophets, and the same Jesus, but take a terribly different and divisive world view from that point forward. The Quran had nothing negative to say about Jesus himself. It confirms the virgin birth, that Jesus was a great profit and spoke truth. It differs in that Jesus in the Quran did not die on the cross, but was taken down from the cross still alive, lived for another 80+ years and died at the age of 120. It emphasizes, however, that Jesus was only a man, and condemns all people who believe Him to be God. All of this written by a man (Muhammed) who wasn’t born until some 550 years after Jesus’ resurrection in the Bible, or 470 years after Jesus’ death as recorded in the Quran.

Since both books speak of tolerance for fellow men, we are encouraged that both texts..as do nearly all religious writingsprovide an avenue for people to be tolerant, forgiving, and kind to one another. While desecrating the holy book of another religion is an ethical violation by either standard, so is causing radical uprisings that encourage riots and bigotry, getting innocent people hurt or killed in the ensuing chaos.

Jesus told his disciples that in some cases when the Gospel is not welcomed, shake the dust from your sandals and move on.

For those who have ears to hear, let them hear.

Tom Clouser is a 38 year old farmer in Pennsylvania. In addition to farming, he and his father publish a monthly 16-page newspaper called “Trees ‘n’ Turf”, which targets subjects of interest to those in land use industries and activities. View their website at http://www.clouserfarm.net

Tags: Bible, flushing, Guatanamo, Islam, Jesus, Koran, Muhammed, Quran, religion, toiletBible, flushing, Guatanamo, Islam, Jesus, Koran, Muhammed, Quran, religion, toilet

Share This