Successful Blog

That Christmas Week — When No One’s There

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I've been thinking . . .
This is a Friday when most folks aren’t in the office. When I used to have an office away from my home, this day and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day were my favorite days to sneak in for an hour or two to organize things.

It was the “be there when you don’t have to be” feeling.

It was the “be with the handful of folks who are also there” camaraderie.

It was the “I can clean out my files and talk about anything” freedom.

It was the “everyone has taken a vacation from deadlines” lack of stress.

It was the “I can toss this, move that, and add a picture” comfort and pride of ownership.

It was the space, the quiet, the room to breathe.

We spend more waking time in our offices than in our living rooms. It only took an hour or two to make my space somewhere I wanted to be.

Liz's Signature

Alexander Kjerulf and Pamela Slim Are Two-in-a-Million!!

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Let’s Start with One-in-a-Million Ways

One-in-a-Million by Trée George and Sandy Renshaw

I suspected that if I made a One-in-a-Million Award that people like me would see the value in shouting out someone’s uniqueness. I also suspected that folks would find their own one-in-a-million ways of telling the world about what people do that’s special — maybe even two people at a time! Here’s the first One-in-a-Million Award(s).

For the One-in-a-Million-Category of:

Enthusiastic and contagious entrepreneur who regularly helps us all be happy at work. This category requires an above average ability to enlist the support of others in your quest, a generous spirit, an amazing sense of humor, and a flair for words. This person must sincerely desire to see others happy in what they do and be willing to sacrifice their time and energy to make it so.

The winner (male): Alexander Kjerulf, Chief Happiness Officer

When I started to write this with Alexander in mind, I realized that there is another person that offers their time freely (and as a coach), helps people reach their professional “happiness” goals, and helps us to realize that job satisfaction comes in lots of shapes and sizes.

She more than qualifies too!

The winner (female): Pamela Slim, Escape from Cubicle Nation

Alexander and Pam help make the working world more enjoyable – on which ever side of a corporation you happen to find yourself!

This award was submitted by: One-in-a-Million Cohort Ann Michael

Thanks, Ann, for seeing the one in a million in another blogger! Thanks Trée George and Sandy Renshaw for the logo that shouts it out!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Liz Strauss at The Blog Herald, The Blogging Times, and Who’s One in a Million?

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I Had 5 Minutes Free at 2 in the Morning

About two weeks ago, I got an IM from Tony Hung the Assistant Editor of the new Blog Herald. He asked if I would consider writing a column. I looked in the mirror, to count the lines again. I looked at my husband. I looked at the IM. I wondered at bit at my sanity. I wrote him back and said “Don’t tell me Tuesdays.”

Tony is a doctor in his last year of residency. Still it’s true fast and firmly that he has a solid second calling in persuasive writing. By the time that single IM conversation was over, I had agreed to take on the column — every Thursday. It will be about blogging, people, and real life.

The very first column went up today. Head over, if you’re curious as to what it’s about. Click the screenshot to get you there. The feature’s in the center column.

The Blog Herald

So What About . . .?

Your links will still be in the D-Z List stories at the Blogging Times. They’re so good to me there. I don’t plan leaving them. It’s Tuesdays as usual for all of us D-Z listers.

Drinks and beverages are still in the sidebar here. There’s always an open seat. You’re only a stranger until you leave that first comment. I’m still that saloonkeeper’s daughter, living inside your computer waiting to hear what you think about everything.

Who’s One in a Million?

Have given someone a one-in-a-million award yet? What great way to say a blogger is special. I’ll link to both of you on the front page of Successful-Blog. How cool is that?

Click the poster to the right to find out how to give someone the one-in-a-million award.

I’m the nice one.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Look Who’s Talking at The Blogging Times

Business Rule 4: You Know Your Truth — Listen to Yourself

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Indiana Wants Me . . . Lord, I Can’t Go There

Business Rules Logo

Back in the olden days, I was hired as a trainee for the Philips Van-Heusen Shirt Company. I was the first woman on the sales team in Chicago, that made me the second in that role nationwide in the company. During that training year, I was kind of a golden child, I got the systems, taught the guys how to use them, made relationships with customers and partnered well with the big time sales reps. I loved my job.

Then the guy in Indianapolis quit. He had replaced the guy who had quit just months before that. I was too young to think through what that quick change in personnel meant.

My boss offered me that territory –- at my six months review — heck, the teritory was even made bigger. That was something. My boss said I didn’t have to go, but he also said that he couldn’t promise I’d still have a job in Chicago, if I didn’t go.

I didn’t want to go. I love Chicago. I didn’t need the money. I had just bought a condo.

A golden child didn’t say “no,” did she? I felt I had to go. I think I was still worried about teacher approval and following orders. Do the program. Pay my dues. Do what I was supposed to do. I made up a romantic rationale and said “yes.”

Soon enough I was singing that old pop tune, “Indiana wants me. Lord, I can’t go back there.”
[Read more…]

Net Neutrality 12-21-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Open Letter on AT&T Merger to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin

To: FCC Chairman Kevin Martin
CC: WSJ Editorial Page
Date: 12/20/06
Re: AT&T Merger with Bell South, Net Neutrality or Why There Is Still No Phone Competition in Long Valley, NJ

Mr Martin,

I know it must be tough for you these days as the last check into this bad for consumer deal between the new, new, we swear we won’t do no evil AT&T and Bell South. Especially now that Robert McDowell decided to abstain from voting on the merger which results in a 2-2 tie between Republicans and Democrats at the FCC. Wow to think how billions hang in the balance between 4 people. That’s quite a challenge, so let me, as a 10 year veteran of the old and better AT&T give you some advice. Sure this is free, but if you study the downfall of AT&T you will realize that the current uncompetitive environment is much of a result of bad management by C. (how) Michael (bought Excite@Home and TCI high and sold them very low) Armstrong and lies and underdeliveries by the Baby Bells of the promised made in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

I submit to you my recent experience with home service in beautiful Long Valley, NJ which is a mere 30 minutes via a country road to the old AT&T HQ and now the current Verizon HQ in Basking Ridge NJ.
[ . . . ]

Yes, I do believe in our economy, free markets, and that if all things being equal, competition will give consumers more choices and better prices. However, it doesn’t work when you allow each Baby Bell to have a virtual monopoly in their territory, resulting in no alternatives for consumers. Use your own experience and see if you can switch services. Competition doesn’t exist and this merger shouldn’t be allowed to go through without significant concessions.

PardonMyFrench,

Eric

MA Bell Monopoly Versus the Free Internet — Tell the FCC Net Neutrality Is Not Negotiable

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE