This article originally appeared in The New York Times May 16, 2009 by CATHERINE BERGART I WAS around No. 1,892,450 of the 2,111,000 people who lost their jobs in the United States last October. It happened near the end of the month. I wasn’t new to layoffs — my first one was in 2001 — but this was different. This time, I not only lost my income, but also I lost the day-to-day camaraderie of a particularly close group of colleagues. “The Great Good Place,” a book by the urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, talks about the social and psychological importance of what he calls “third places.” He designates home as “first place” and work as “second place.” He describes “third place” as somewhere neutral, convenient, comfortable and welcoming. It’s where regulars gather and where conversation is lively, engaging and often accompanied by laughter. Soda fountains, beer gardens, cafes… Read More
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Small Business Development Center(SBDC): Low Cost Workshops
Business Plan Writing Discuss the major elements of a business plan, and learn strategies to completing all major sections of a business plan.Two-day workshop Legal: Contracts Discuss the elements of a contract and understand how to develop a contract. Also, how to defend yourself from accusations of breach of contract. Legal: Corporate Formation Discuss the various corporate formation, the tax advantages, and disadvantages. Learn how to incorporate. To incorporate or not to incorporate? That is the question. Legal: Debt Collection Covers ways to ensure that your customers pay your invoices. Understand what a lawsuit is and how you bring one without an attorney. Legal: Intellectual Property Learn to protect your work: inventions, art, literature, characters, products, and receipts. What is a trademark, copyright, and trade secret? Social Networking: The New Marketing Discuss new marketing strategies using technology platforms, and other platforms available… Read More
"I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside."
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like this is so easy, does it? Wayne Dwyer’s quote is a good one to repeat over and over — a mantra of sorts — especially these days. Again and again I hear people talking about the paradigm shift we’re all dealing with. The proverbial ‘salad’ being tossed into the air but there’s no bowl to catch it…What new ways of working are we all creating? Reading about Hulu yesterday made me pause and think…The genie is out of the bottle and nobody knows how to get it, or the monetization that makes our world go around, back in the bottle. Or do they? Seems we’re all trying to figure this new world marketplace out. Even the best and brightest. So then I put the paper down (yes, I read the paper and I’m mad as hell that newspapers are going away! I love reading the… Read More
Young people can build financial habits that last
This article originally appeared in The Chicago Tribune May 10, 2009 by Gregory Karp When he was 28, J.D. Roth had a friend who offered him an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: They would take a five-month trip together to see Thailand, India, Israel, Egypt and other far-flung places. Roth had to say no. He had spent all the money he earned since graduating college, and more. He had lots of stuff–and was $20,000 in debt. By contrast, Roth’s friend Paul lived frugally with few belongings and had significant savings. Paul had the freedom to take the trip of a lifetime. “I realized then, `Aha!’ Paul was making choices that gave him flexibility later on,” said Roth, who now blogs about his financial life at GetRichSlowly.org. “I didn’t have any flexibility. I couldn’t afford to take the time away from work. The world opens up to you if you can… Read More
Mr. Duffy's Body – Somatics in the 21st Century
I have just completed my training at the Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, CA and am now a Certified Somatic Coach through the Strozzi Institute. What this means is that I am folding this learning and way of approaching the complexities of life into my work with clients. The somatic sensibility I have developed deepens my way of listening to, and seeing, my clients and assisting them to move forward into the life they create for themselves. Richard Strozzi’s article here gives you a taste of the somatic perspective. Mr. Duffy’s Body – Somatics in the 21st Century By Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D. Recently skimming through my daughter’s books for her World Literature class I came across James Joyce’s epic novel, Ulysses. Remembering what is required to engage with Joyce’s dense prose I forged ahead anyway and came across a certain Mr. Duffy who “lived a short distance from his… Read More
May 2009 Newsletter
Daisy Swan & Associates – May 2009 Newsletter What’s Inside: Welcome & Introduction, by Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC: The Los Angeles Career Counselor & Coach How about some good news? The Truth. (Ready?) Where is Your ‘Third Place’ These Days? Books and Other Resources Welcome & Introduction, by Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC: The Los Angeles Career Counselor & Coach Hello Readers, I want to thank the many of you who gave me feedback on my last newsletter. It makes me really happy to hear that people appreciate what I have to offer and that you find these newsletters helpful or inspiring. If you ever think of something that you’d like to hear more about, or have questions, I hope that you’ll let me know; I’ll do what I can to address these questions or topics in the future. I also want to thank all of… Read More
Raising Bill Gates
This article originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal April 25, 2009 by Robert A. Guth For all of us parents out there…we just never know what will happen, right? SEATTLE — Spend time with the family of Bill Gates, and eventually someone will mention the water incident. The future software mogul was a headstrong 12-year-old and was having a particularly nasty argument with his mother at the dinner table. Fed up, his father threw a glass of cold water in the boy’s face. “Thanks for the shower,” the young Mr. Gates snapped. The incident lives in Gates family lore not just for its drama but also because it was a rare time that Bill Gates Sr., father of his famous namesake, lost his cool. The argument presaged a turning point in the life of a tempestuous boy that would set him on course to become the Bill… Read More
To Jeopardy! winner, Trebek’s no Helmholz
This interview originally appeared in the University of Chicago Magazine’s blog UChiBLOGo (http://uchiblogo.uchicago.edu). Here’s another option if you’ve got some time! In December 2007 Dan Pawson, JD’06, began a nine-game winning streak on Jeopardy! He returned in January to participate in the 2009 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, which aired in March. Although Pawson was happy to discuss his new fame, we don’t recommend mentioning the articles of the Constitution. Especially you, Professor Helmholz. How did you get on the show? Pawson: “I got on the show by taking the online test in January 2007. If you pass and they pick you, you go to a regional in-person audition, which happened for me in May 2007. Then I got the call to come on in August.” What kind of preparation did you do before a show? Pawson: “I don’t have any great mental-stimulation techniques right before a game, but… Read More
Work, learn, work
It’s staggering how much there is to learn these days, isn’t it? Are you overwhelmed from working so hard to stay on top of everything you do? While trying to wrap your mind around what’s happening in the world and with technology? Personally I go from overwhelm to excitement from hour to hour. One of the ways I get out of overwhelm is to attend an event or program where I get real information about some aspect of the changing landscape of commerce. Today I attended a National Association of Women Business Owners co-sponsored event featuring Bill Allen from the LA Economic Development Corporation. It was fascinating to hear about the misconceptions and lack of communication that has resulted in a lack of economic development for LA and it’s very diverse population. Did you know that the film industry is not the biggest industry here? Did you know that because… Read More
In recession, more parents 'slowly' spend quality time with their kids
This article originally appeared in New Jersey News April 19,2009 By CARRIE STETLER There are some hidden benefits that adults and kids are reaping from this economic situation…. Last year, Dana Slomkowski fer ried her preschoolers to horseback riding lessons, gymnastics and dance class. On errands to the store, she routinely bought small toys. If her 4-year-old daughter decided to wear only dresses, Slom kowski bought more dresses. But life for the Slomkowskis has changed since the recession. Now, the children have one activity each. Gone are pricey vacations and long day trips. And if daughter Rory wants a new dress, she raids her piggy bank. At first, Slomkowski felt guilty about the cutbacks. But now, she believes, her family is better off. “We have more time, we talk. We may not go anywhere, but at least we’re all home together. Now I’m big on, ‘go outside and… Read More
