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Pulling staff from their duties at any time is a tough call, much less in a challenging economy as we have today.However, many executives are finding it an important tool in employee management.  They are providing a brief intermission from the hectic day to day for their employees by providing speech presentations on a wide array of topics related and unrelated to their job.

Many speakers are available to provide presentations that will inspire and encourage your employees to think creatively and foster innovative business ideas.Don’t worry about finding someone directly related to your company’s field.It is not all important to find a speaker that focuses in your company’s discipline.Your staff will be challenged to think in new and creative ways which can often result in a positive increase to the bottom line. 

Here is a checklist of things to discuss with a potential speaker:

1.Up Front Details. 

Communicate the exact date, time, and location up front when talking with potential speakers.In addition remember to let them know how much time you have allotted for their presentation.While it may seem overkill to mention this, there have been plenty of instances where a manager has promoted an event only to discover a mix up with the speaker on the date or time needed for the presentation. 

  It will also help if you can give the speaker an estimate of attendees and details about the group they will be talking to.  This will help them to target their presentation to the audience and give them a better and more meaningful experience. 

2.Publicity Buzz.

Ask the speaker for a summary of their presentation in advance so that you can start building excitement among your employees.Flyers, enticing emails describing the event and other promotion all works well.Providing food is always a great way to make it fun for the employees. In any event, make sure your staff sees the event as a bonus for them rather than something they have to attend. 

3.         Compensation. 

If you have a budget available to pay a speaker you will be working with a larger selection.  Most speakers have a set rate for local and non-local venues.If out of their area, many may request travel compensation as well, and if you want an extra long presentation they may charge more. 

Don’t worry if cost is a factor.Speaking fees are all over the board, and if you can offer other forms of compensation a speaker is often willing to negotiate.For most, their ultimate objective lies in potential sales of the speaker’s services and products rather than to earn a speaking fee. 

Two typical forms of payment on a low budget are promoting the speaker’s products to the audience, or, even better, buying a copy of their book or product for each attendee. 

There are other ways to compensate a speaker on a low budget.You might consider inviting your customers or those in your office complex to create a larger group for the speaker.  Provide the speaker a list of all attendees with contact information and allow them to follow up individually.  Even offer a testimonial and referrals to similar organizations. 

It takes some effort and time to set up a speaker session your employees will enjoy and get value from, but it is a great way to build positive energy and increase commitment among your staff.  Always emphasize the value to your employees and your dedication to their personal development.The effect on the company’s profitability will be your reward.     

Marty Dickinson moved beyond his techno-fear of the Internet more than 14 years ago and has since launched more than 100 of his own websites while helping more than 300 clients to use the Internet to grow their businesses. Internet Marketing Speaker, business owner, and co-author of “Web Marketing All-in-One for Dummies” (Wiley 2009), he enjoys inspiring other techno-phobic business owners, authors and speakers to move beyond their fear of the Internet to embrace its full potential.

Source: admin

Anchors, puffins, ships, and bicycles – such classic motifs lend just the right amount of nostalgic charm to any contemporary home in need of a little style and whimsy. Drawn from images contained in Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities, Chronicle’s Pictorial Webster’s wall card and stamps are wonderful resources for interior design, as well as to add style and flare to your modern-day correspondence, packages, and art and craft projects.

The wall cards include 26 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet, suitable for framing or propping up willy-nilly.

Mushrooms, sea horses, owls and pinecones are classic images of flora and fauna in the stamp set.

The Pictorial Webster’s line is sure to inspire and delight.

If you’d like to receive one of these beautiful Pictorial Webster’s posters, just send your address to webmaster@chroniclebooks.com – sorry North American addresses only.

Patti Quill
Marketing & Publicity Manager

Source: Patti Quill

Spring is just around the corner. Each day on my morning walk with the dogs I hear and see more and more birds in Golden Gate Park. Last week the big white egret was back in the pond next to the de Young Museum, and a new pair of ducks has taken up residence as well—I see them every evening.

Birding is a hobby and a passion enjoyed by millions of enthusiasts. Here are some of our favorite bird titles.

Bird
By Andrew Zuckerman

Birds
By Jeffrey Fisher

Bird Songs

Bird Watching

The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America

Birdscapes

Sightings: Extraordinary Encounters with Ordinary Birds

Patti Quill
Marketing & Publicity Manager

Source: Patti Quill

Chatting with snowed-in friends and family on the East Coast, I’m reminded of times I would cozy up inside, hearing the faint sound of tires driving over slush, and would completely rearrange my room. Winter begged me to take a closer look at my space, since I spent much more time holed up at home than in warmer seasons.

In search of some good room-beautifying projects, I was excited to come across this charming jewelry chandelier from the crafty decorating book, Dorm Décor. While I’ve tried many ways to organize my jewelry – including nailing a bamboo placemat on the wall – this chandelier takes the cake as a great way to use your accessories as a pretty and convenient display.

Jewelry Chandelier
Excerpted from Dorm Décor by Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith
Photographs by Evan Sklar

For a place to put all that glitters, think outside the jewelry box (charming tunes, yes, but they can create a tangled mess) and visit your local hardware store. The honeycomb shape of this poultry wire alludes to something fanciful, yet utterly practical. To dress it up, a can of spray paint, ribbon, and colorful craft birds do the trick.

YOU’LL NEED:
Gardening gloves
22″ x 12″ poultry wire (for a 7″–diameter column); 32″ x 12″ (for a 9″-diameter column)
Wire cutters (go low-end; poultry wire is pretty thin)
1 can of spray paint in white
Newspaper or plastic bags
1 yard 1/2”-wide grosgrain ribbon in raspberry
Two Velcro squares
10 craft birds with wire hooks

Skill Level: 101

Cut the wire.
1. You may need to purchase the poultry wire in a package (not custom cut to size). Wearing gloves, make sure to cut along the seam line so stray wires are not exposed.

2. Join the 22″ ends of poultry wire together to form a cylinder. Interlace the wire ends through the loops on the other end to secure it closed.

Paint the wire.
3. In a ventilated area (preferably outside) and over newspaper or plastic, spray the cylinder with paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply two coats for even coverage.

Embellish the chandelier.
4. Cut the ribbon in half and cut each Velcro square in half.

5. Loop one ribbon through the wire at one point at the top. Use half a Velcro square on the end of the ribbon to close the loop. Determine the length you want the chandelier to hang and snip any extra ribbon.  Directly across the top, loop the other end of the ribbon and use the other half of the Velcro square to close up the ribbon (this way you can hang it on a closet pole or remove the ribbon to set the chandelier on a dresser). Repeat for the other ribbon and Velcro square across the top.

6. Attach the craft birds with hooks on the chandelier as desired.

7. Hang the chandelier from a window hook, above your dresser, or in your closet. Hang your jewelry on it, any way you like.

Find this and many more crafty decorating projects in Dorm Décor by Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith.

Lisa Tauber
Editorial Assistant

Source: Lisa Tauber