Work...The Jj Way!

Crossing The Line On Facebook. Where Work and Life Collide.

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 10:34:12 -0400

My husband just joined Facebook. The man who didn’t own a computer 5 years ago - who didn’t know how to turn on a smart phone now is online, connected, armed and dangerous.

The first thing he did as he accepted “friends” was ask “Do I know this person? Do I want this person to know what I’m doing? How do people already know to ask me attorney questions?”

Facebook knows all, and it’s not afraid to expose your deepest, darkest secrets to the world with a little help from you and your connections.

The power of Facebook and other social networking sights is real. How we each communicate with the tool that is connecting and watching our every move is important. The number one lesson I try to share about Facebook is that it is a very personal communication tool. The minute you post anything about your work, colleagues or “day at the office” you have crossed the line where work and life collide. This collision can be uplifting or it can be very damaging.

I just learned that in some schools they now have a “no Solo cup policy.” If you are pictured with Solo Cup in your hand posted on a friend’s wall you can face consequences. It doesn’t matter that you may be drinking a non-alcoholic drink, it’s a no-tolerance policy that is strictly enforced. (I know one person who has a Minor In Possession on his record due to this new “rule” handed out by a law enforcement officer at a campus party) Let’s count the number of Solo cups from labor day parties that were posted on Facebook. Has the Solo cup become a symbol of punishment? Is it something “funny” to post at the time - yet could become a potential career buster?

Staying connected is part of what makes us all enjoy our days and continue to strive for success. As we move toward a more connected world, let’s also move toward a “think before you post” mentality.

Be nice to people.
Ask before posting photos.
Remember that your “friends” can also be your colleagues -
be respectful of your work and theirs.
If you need to vent - scream in the shower - not over the internet.

Let’s keep connecting - and communicating.
Let's B-Postive! (It’s not a blood type!)

4 Reasons to Embrace the 4th of July!

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 08:03:43 -0400

Bringing a national celebration to life takes place each 4th of July in the U.S.A. Why does this matter in our everyday lives and in our work? Communicating with the entrepreneurial spirit that our country was founded on is one that brings the Hope that inspires us, the Opportunity that invites everyone, the Memories that keep us grounded and the Faith to allow us to welcome others and fly on Eagle’s Wings.

Hope: Let’s face it, there are many reasons to feel less than hopeful. The U.S. economy is upside down. Politicians cannot agree to even disagree. (Wait! Doesn’t that mean they should cancel each other out and just agree?!) Friends and family are losing or looking for jobs. We know people who have lost their homes. Yet in all of the downturned corners of mouths, the 4th of July allows us to bring the hint of hope back into our lives. The picture above showcased just one of the many free events held during the Cascade 4th of July Carnival. The boy jumping for joy shows the hope in the little things. Each of the little things add up to bringing sharing the hope with others. We can bring this type of hope into our work and life. Small daily reminders to make us smile. Positive comments and upturned corners of mouths go a long way in starting a positive day.

Opportunity: ChaCha reports that a company in Toledo, Ohio called Brainchild Products created the craze called “Silly Band.” The animal and character shaped rubber bands are all the rage. There are hundreds lying around my carpet ruining my vacuum cleaner. If I’ve heard this comment once I’ve heard it a hundred times: “Why didn’t I think of that!” Just the fact that we have the ability to think of new and creative ideas, and turn those ideas into innovation is something we need to celebrate on the 4th of July. We have the freedom to do so. We can invent something totally fun and mindless and become rich. We can also create a new productivity tool that turns teams around. The only one stopping you from grabbing an opportunity is your mindset that may nag at you saying, “oh don’t bother, it’s too much trouble, it will never work.” Did George Washington or Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson say that?

Memories: All of us who celebrate the 4th have a connection to the festivities that is based on our memories. My son is a bit wary of fireworks because an ash landed in his eye when he was 8 years old. I don’t like sparklers because my foot landed on one and required a week out of the pool when I was about the same age. Veterans marching by and U.S. Jets flying overhead make me cry. The memories of the 4th of July bring us the passion for patriotism that make the U.S.A. unique. This is our National Holiday. We own this. We share with anyone who would like to participate. Last year I was in Prague on the 4th of July. My daughter and I decided to look for ice cream and lemonade in honor of our favorite activities of the 4th, eating and drinking with family. When we found lemonade we learned that in Prague, lemonade is Sprite. We now have new memories to carry us forward. This one brings with it the joy of being in other countries while still connecting to the freedoms of the United States. The celebration of the 4th is one that is in your heart no matter where you happen to physically be. Honoring those who make it possible for us to create new memories is the key.

Eagle’s Wings. An eagle once tipped it’s wings to me and nodded it’s head. I was on hole #12 at Arcadia Bluffs when an Eagle came soaring by. Quietly, truly floating on Eagle’s wings. The month was July. I was atop the most beautiful bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. As I stood still letting the beauty sink in I noticed what looked to be a large bird soaring toward me. The bird wasn’t going fast just coasting along the coastline. It happened to be at my eye level. As he came closer I watched in awe. I knew that this was a gift given to me, one that I would never forget. The bird was a Bald Eagle and she soared oh so slowly by. Just as she passed she looked toward me and nodded. She tipped her wing and then continued on. I of course ruined the moment by yelling EAGLE EAGLE, much too late for my golf partners to view as they were on the putting green. One of the golfers yelled back, No! I’m shooting for Birdie!” I tell that story because it makes me laugh out loud and because the history of our National bird is not all glory and acceptance.

In January of 1784 elder statesman Benjamin Franklin registered his own disapproval of the eagle as our National bird when he stated:
"The bald eagle...is a bird of bad moral character; like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. The turkey is a much more respectable bird and withal a true original native of America."
The bald eagle's friends prevailed in the end, however, and in 1789 George Washington became our Nation's first President and the American Bald Eagle became our Country's official bird. Almost 150 years later the American Bald Eagle was protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. President John F. Kennedy later wrote:
"The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America." - Homeofheroes.com
I like to think that the Bald Eagle had to prove it’s worth, stand up and be counted, and stand the test of time. We can take pride in the fact that when the ideas we share or our concepts are maligned, we can then stand up and say “listen turkey, if we want to soar like an eagle we may need to rethink this!”

Hope, Opportunity, Memories, Eagle’s Wings. Embracing these words help us embrace Home. U.S.A. is my home. God Bless the U.S.A.

Serving Up Sweet Communication:

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:51:08 -0400

Serving Up Sweet Communication!
(Let Them Eat Cake!)
By Lynne Jarman-Johnson

Communicating is not easy. Being responsible for smooth communication is one of the most important jobs we all have. There’s not a person that you work with that doesn’t share in the responsibility of smooth communication. Yet, it is often the most taken for granted aspect of our work.

Assumptions, deliberate misguidance, overloaded plates, forgetting, timing, ambivalence, misunderstanding, ignorance, apathy all play a part in miscommunication.

Yet, when we communicate effectively our jobs are so much easier. I’ve found in over 20 years in the communication field that our customers and colleagues want three things:

1. To be listened to
2. To be included
3. To be given clear direction

Ensuring we pay attention to the three needs can make or break any communication.

I’ve recently had the honor of being asked to lead, as interim, the communication department of Grand Rapids Community College. It is a daunting and exhilarating experience. I am in awe of the commitment and desire of faculty, staff, leadership and trustees to bring student success to the table each day.

The first thing that struck me in my new position is the need to communicate the communication department itself. As I delved into this job, I realized that each of us have the same role in everything we do: We all need to communicate what we do and how people can work with us so our work is more effective.

Here is a new process I've created that is engaging and helps people learn the tools and actions of communication. It’s called the Cake Philosophy.

The cake philosophy is simple. We have tiered cakes that we work with. The cakes each have the ingredients for quality communication at the ready - we can mix up the recipe for success for EACH person, project, or need.

In our department we serve up four types of cakes:

Wedding Cake: Our full serving of ingredients.
Birthday Cake: Includes many ingredients mixed for quality servings
Cup Cake: A tasty treat in our communication plan
Ho Ho: A snack meant to satisfy the appetite

Here is an example of how the Cake Philosophy works. This is a recipe for quality communication that can work in any organization:

Know what you are baking.
Outreach to departments and to groups in need of communicating their work. Listen to their needs and create the recipe card for success for their particular need. Know their goals and align them with the ingredients and tools available.

Share the recipe.
Let the teams, groups, individuals, co-workers and departments know what you are cooking up. Ask for input - adding a recommended spice can bring people on board much quicker and can zest up the plan.

Have all ingredients ready:
Bring all the ingredients (communication tools available/needed) together and list on one page or document. Prioritize the ingredients and assign each ingredient a “cook and timeline.”

Prepare the Cooks
Ensure all of the cooks are on the same page. Listen for naysayers or those who would like to stir in spoiled ingredients. Continuously communicate team work in the kitchen. Share the ingredients, recipe and serving needs of the plan. Assign the timeline to the administrative sous chef to ensure the recipe is followed and timing is focused on. The administrative aspect is key and is not to be taken for granted or your communication will come out scorched and your team will get burned.

Mix and get ready to serve.
Mix in and serve up the ingredients according to the recipe guidelines you’ve created. Check on while baking so you are not prone to over cook or undercook.

Serve up a slice.
Once you cooked up your plan continue to serve up slices to all of those who are involved in your recipe. The more you give updates on the ingredients and the baking cycle the more involved and interested your guests will become.

Don’t forget the Ziploc.
After you are finished, place your serving in a sealed and organized Ziploc for sharing. Recap the ingredients and how each was used in the full baking process. Learn from and document any changes or tweaks to the recipe. The only leftovers allowed are the smiles on faces after you’ve served up your finished product.

Working with a Cake Philosophy is a silver platter opportunity to help others:

1. be listened to
2. be included
3. be given clear direction

Happy Taste Testing!

Take Me Out To The.....

Sun, 30 May 2010 10:33:16 -0400

It’s a glance that was captured in digital technology. The glance is a Father and Son enjoying a baseball game. The scene is set and captured, down to the glimmering setting sun shining from Dad’s beverage. Why is this photo important enough to place on a business communication blog?

The photo captures a moment in time that we all need to strive for in our work. We need to plan for priceless moments of relaxed time. When we spend relaxed, quality time with colleagues we can transform our workplace and teams.

Where can we create these moments? How can we capture the outcome of hard work and passion? In our everyday work environment, near the coffee machine, in the break room, in our cubicle’s, walking to our next meeting, in our meetings.

• Add “celebrations” to your agendas.
• Bring “kudos” to the table out loud.
• Add personal accomplishments to newsletters.
• Say thank you and CC other departments and leaders
• Post a “Have a Great Day” note in the elevator

Simple steps to making colleagues and associates smile - if even for a moment - helps to create a positive work environment over time. It’s much easier to tackle the hard work when we are enjoying the work in the first place.

All work and no play leads to frustration, hurried work product and stress.
Relaxing and helping colleagues learn to relax while at work leads to more productively, higher morale and outcomes to celebrate.

Pitch in with ideas to help create the moments that will help your teams succeed.

Play Ball.

Dear Employee, Colleague or Boss... Love, Mom

Sun, 9 May 2010 07:05:02 -0400

Dear Employee, Colleague or Boss,
It has been much too long since I’ve spoken to you face to face. I hope all is well. The flowers are starting to bloom in the garden. I know my mother always said if you pay close attention to what you plant, and keep the weeds down, you will be very happy with the results.

I wanted to write you some thoughts that have been floating around this old head of mine. Once a mother, always a mother you know.

I’ve started to taking to writing down my thoughts as they come so I don’t forget them. My paper is full each week! That reminds me, do those computers you use have notepads in them? Maybe you could teach me how to use one?

How is Clare? Is she still wearing those tight t-shirts to work? You know my opinion on that, dress for success always, even if you’re running out to the store for groceries, you just don’t know who you might run into. I don’t know why they don’t bring back the fashion of my day. We always had nice blouses and the boys wore ties. It was just how it was done. Even without the ties you can dress nice. That show with Donald Trump proves that! Boy that man can dress up nice when he’s working.

How’s your garage cleaning coming? Last we spoke you were “throwing out the baby with the bath water!” I’m still laughing. You sure make your mom proud when you organize and keep yourself ready for action!

It was sure nice of cousin Robert to come to visit. He had some new contraption that he kept pulling out of his pocket. He called it a smart phone. It sure didn’t seem very smart to me - he kept stopping his conversation midstream and looking at that dumb thing. Do you have one of those? I sure hope you remember to pay attention to people and not that smart phone. I can still hear Dad now, The “I” in eye contact is the same “I” in Important... and it’s the most important.

Well I’m running to the mall with Aunt Ruth. They have a clearance sale on light bulbs. I may pick up a few more bulbs for the garden while I’m there. I’m hoping they have some end of the year sales. I’ve even got a coupon for those energy light bulbs they have now. I’m going to stock up if the price is right. When you kids were little I would walk around room to room turning off the lights. Sure seemed like that was all I did at times. But it really did help with the electric bill and my weight! I guess it’s a good reminder for you to walk around and see where you can save energy and create energy at the same time!

Thank you so much for the nice card last week. I know how busy you are and just hearing from you for no reason means so much to me. I’m very proud of you. I wish we didn’t live 3000 miles away. But when you reach out, you keep me close and help me feel a part of what is going on.

Say hi to Sara and all of those kids. Tell them how much they mean to you and when they do good work shout it from the rooftops. When they act up, they most likely just need attention. People today need to hear that they matter.

And with that, I just want you to know how much you matter to this old Mom of yours.

Love,

Mom.