In my hometown of Flint, Michigan things are tough. The economy is in the crapper but then again, it’s tough all over. That’s why you need to read this.
We have to find new ways to cut cost and still increase production and brand exposure. That’s why I and a group of like minded individuals and companies have joined together in creating an ALLIANCE!
An alliance is more than just networking and falls short of starting a new company together.
One of my alliances is with a group of events promoters. We’ve come together to help cut costs of advertising and promotions. By doing this we have tripled our buying power and quadrupled (okay, so what’s the word you use when 5 people are involved?) our promotion strength. Each of our Alliance members’ concentrates on just one aspect of promotion thereby, letting each of us do a fantastic job on one task and when it “comes together” WOW! We got this!
I have done the same with a group out of Flint Michigan, Teton Business Solutions. They’re a HR outsourcing company, working with others doing their hiring, payroll, training and a whole lot more. But these people have the “ALLIANCE” mentality!
For them its not just about having a new company on their roster, it’s about having a new friend to help succeed! I mean it’s crazy that in this day and age that they really, really want to help me and my businesses grow! I’m not just a number; I’m part of their ALLIANCE!
Look, I could spend hours and hours working HR and doing payroll and doing training and etc and etc. Plus spend all the hours learning how best to control my HR overhead and figuring out taxes and how to best prepare my forms correctly or I can just find me a new friend that I can align with that has all the information and expertise I need to run my HR department!
It just makes good sense (Dollars and Cents) to do it!
I endorse Teton Business Solutions for your companies HR needs, no matter what size it is, two employees to two thousand, these people are the ones to align with!
Make a great decision today! Call, write, email or click on this link; Teton Business Solutions, I guarantee you’ll be forever grateful to me.
Till later, remember; We’re all in this together! Are you in Alliance?
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
NO Brainer Business Decision!
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
8 Benefits of Outsourcing Payroll
And why you should be using Teton Business Solutions. http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com/
In my experience and investigation, small- and medium-size businesses outsource payroll most often for these important reasons:
1. Avoid IRS Penalties
According to the IRS, 40% of small businesses pay an average penalty of $845 per year for late or incorrect filings. Most national payroll services provide a tax guarantee, ensuring that customers will incur no penalties because the provider takes responsibility for penalties when they do occur. In many instances, this cost-saving immediately justifies outsourcing payroll.
2. Reduce Costs
The direct costs of processing payroll can be greatly reduced by working with a payroll provider. Our research indicates that a small business of 10 employees will typically spend $2,600 per year in direct labor costs associated with payroll.
3. Alleviate Pain
Payroll is a headache in the best case and a nightmare in the worst case. Business owners who outsource payroll eliminate a tiresome source of personal pain.
4. Record Keeping
Every record is at your finger tips. More importantly for business owners, this eliminates time-consuming and error-prone paper handling and the need to reconcile individual payroll checks every month.
5. Free Up Free Time
Payroll processing is a time-consuming process. Outsourcing payroll can free up staff time to pursue more important value-added and revenue-generating activities.
6. Avoid Technology Headaches
A constant question for small business owners is whether they have the latest version of their payroll software and the most recent tax tables installed on their computer. Using the wrong tax tables can result in stiff penalties. Outsourcing payroll removes those headaches and keeps payroll running smoothly.
7. Leverage Outside Payroll Expertise
Most business owners and controllers don't have time to keep up with constantly changing regulations, withholding rates, and government forms. By outsourcing payroll, a small business can take advantage of expertise that was previously available only to big companies.
8. Avoid Payroll Knowledge Walking Out the Door
If your bookkeeper or controller gets a new job, they will walk out the door with their knowledge of the payroll process and how you do it. Using an outside service eliminates that business risk.
Don’t go insane doing your own payroll, have someone else create saneness from your insanity!
Check out Teton Business Service, their nation wide and experience in all your HR needs. Remember: We’re all in this together. http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com
Albert Einstein
8 Benefits of Outsourcing Payroll
And why you should be using Teton Business Solutions. http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com/
In my experience and investigation, small- and medium-size businesses outsource payroll most often for these important reasons:
1. Avoid IRS Penalties
According to the IRS, 40% of small businesses pay an average penalty of $845 per year for late or incorrect filings. Most national payroll services provide a tax guarantee, ensuring that customers will incur no penalties because the provider takes responsibility for penalties when they do occur. In many instances, this cost-saving immediately justifies outsourcing payroll.
2. Reduce Costs
The direct costs of processing payroll can be greatly reduced by working with a payroll provider. Our research indicates that a small business of 10 employees will typically spend $2,600 per year in direct labor costs associated with payroll.
3. Alleviate Pain
Payroll is a headache in the best case and a nightmare in the worst case. Business owners who outsource payroll eliminate a tiresome source of personal pain.
4. Record Keeping
Every record is at your finger tips. More importantly for business owners, this eliminates time-consuming and error-prone paper handling and the need to reconcile individual payroll checks every month.
5. Free Up Free Time
Payroll processing is a time-consuming process. Outsourcing payroll can free up staff time to pursue more important value-added and revenue-generating activities.
6. Avoid Technology Headaches
A constant question for small business owners is whether they have the latest version of their payroll software and the most recent tax tables installed on their computer. Using the wrong tax tables can result in stiff penalties. Outsourcing payroll removes those headaches and keeps payroll running smoothly.
7. Leverage Outside Payroll Expertise
Most business owners and controllers don't have time to keep up with constantly changing regulations, withholding rates, and government forms. By outsourcing payroll, a small business can take advantage of expertise that was previously available only to big companies.
8. Avoid Payroll Knowledge Walking Out the Door
If your bookkeeper or controller gets a new job, they will walk out the door with their knowledge of the payroll process and how you do it. Using an outside service eliminates that business risk.
Don’t go insane doing your own payroll, have someone else create saneness from your insanity!
Check out Teton Business Service, their nation wide and experience in all your HR needs. Remember: We’re all in this together. http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com
Monday, March 15, 2010
Business Jokes and Quotes of the day:
There is one rule for industrialists and that is: make the best quality goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible. Henry Ford
Victor Hugo: There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.
Robert Half: There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.
As the economy gets better, everything else gets worse.
As they say in Beirut, Shiite happens.
Asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups.
At any level of traffic, any delay is intolerable.
Automatic simply means that you can't repair it yourself.
Bad news drives good news out of the media.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Victor Hugo: There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.
Robert Half: There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.
As the economy gets better, everything else gets worse.
As they say in Beirut, Shiite happens.
Asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups.
At any level of traffic, any delay is intolerable.
Automatic simply means that you can't repair it yourself.
Bad news drives good news out of the media.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Friday, March 12, 2010
It’s good to see others’ accomplishments!
Flint Business, Flint People: Have you met Tom Sumner?
Sometimes, looking at others’ accomplishments will make you reflect on your own!
Have you met Tom Sumner? He’s a *Flintoid. (*Flintoid: a name given to someone who lives in the city of Flint and refuses to give up,) You might have listened to him on Off the Kuf on 94.3 FM at 7am, or on Flint Talk Radio with his Worldwide Webcast from 10am to Noon, or with his band Cidy Zoo that he’s the drummer for, or even at Comedy Improv Night at Churchill’s, or at one of the many *symposiums (*formal meeting held for the discussion of a subject, during which individual speakers may make presentations. I wrote this definition in for my Florida educated friends.) he’s hosted, but its about his book “All I Wanted was a Hair Cut” that I want to tell about.
I have just made it through the halfway point of his musings, mostly due to the placement of the book being in my “library” and I want you all to know; you got to get this book.
I found it by accidents, while stopping in to say hello to the folks that work at Page Bookstore in downtown Flint. As we were talking and my telling ‘em how I was renewing my relationship with my new/old home town when the discussion wondered to books written by local writers displayed in a special area of the store. As I perused the offering taking in the understanding that Flint had people that do write, I was amazed at the depth of the works available. Then I came across Tom’s book. Okay, from reading the cover and a couple of paragraphs in the book, one might not think that this is one of those Flintoid deep thinkers. But I was proven wrong later as I read more of it, while sitting in my “library“.
Almost as a joke, I bought the book, mostly so that I could tease Tom that I was the one that bought his only book sold.
Turns out he is a deep thinker, but he doesn’t write in that deep thinker kind of… of… how can I explain it..ah…Big word way!
Oh, Tom’s book might not be a life changer but it’s fun reading about his changes of life. Reading like a combination of the writing styles of Dave Berry, Mark Twain and my front porch sitting, upper grandpa, Tom lets you laugh in the face of his adversity, sadness and all the emotions a “guy” can have.
Tom’s book “All I Wanted was a Hair Cut” is full of insight, foresight, hindsight and laugh lines. His self- deprecating humor covers over the painful and serious moments he writes about. Plus, it’s easy to read while in the “Library”.
Thanks Tom, for sharing yourself with us. You are the kind of renaissance man this town needs and should be proud of having.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
Sometimes, looking at others’ accomplishments will make you reflect on your own!
Have you met Tom Sumner? He’s a *Flintoid. (*Flintoid: a name given to someone who lives in the city of Flint and refuses to give up,) You might have listened to him on Off the Kuf on 94.3 FM at 7am, or on Flint Talk Radio with his Worldwide Webcast from 10am to Noon, or with his band Cidy Zoo that he’s the drummer for, or even at Comedy Improv Night at Churchill’s, or at one of the many *symposiums (*formal meeting held for the discussion of a subject, during which individual speakers may make presentations. I wrote this definition in for my Florida educated friends.) he’s hosted, but its about his book “All I Wanted was a Hair Cut” that I want to tell about.
I have just made it through the halfway point of his musings, mostly due to the placement of the book being in my “library” and I want you all to know; you got to get this book.
I found it by accidents, while stopping in to say hello to the folks that work at Page Bookstore in downtown Flint. As we were talking and my telling ‘em how I was renewing my relationship with my new/old home town when the discussion wondered to books written by local writers displayed in a special area of the store. As I perused the offering taking in the understanding that Flint had people that do write, I was amazed at the depth of the works available. Then I came across Tom’s book. Okay, from reading the cover and a couple of paragraphs in the book, one might not think that this is one of those Flintoid deep thinkers. But I was proven wrong later as I read more of it, while sitting in my “library“.
Almost as a joke, I bought the book, mostly so that I could tease Tom that I was the one that bought his only book sold.
Turns out he is a deep thinker, but he doesn’t write in that deep thinker kind of… of… how can I explain it..ah…Big word way!
Oh, Tom’s book might not be a life changer but it’s fun reading about his changes of life. Reading like a combination of the writing styles of Dave Berry, Mark Twain and my front porch sitting, upper grandpa, Tom lets you laugh in the face of his adversity, sadness and all the emotions a “guy” can have.
Tom’s book “All I Wanted was a Hair Cut” is full of insight, foresight, hindsight and laugh lines. His self- deprecating humor covers over the painful and serious moments he writes about. Plus, it’s easy to read while in the “Library”.
Thanks Tom, for sharing yourself with us. You are the kind of renaissance man this town needs and should be proud of having.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Business Jokes and Quotes
Something Inspiring: A man playing basketball. Oops. that’s perspiring.
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”
Inspiration and perspiration are related by more than rhyme.
“I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.”
“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.”
“Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.”
“There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees.”
In every work of genius we recognize our rejected thoughts.
Incompetence is a double-edged banana.
Influence is like a savings account. The less you use it, the more you've got. - Andrew Young, American politician
Intelligence is a tool to be used towards a goal, and goals are not always chosen intelligently. - Larry Niven 'Protector'
Interchangable parts won't.
Incompetence knows no barriers of time or place.
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
Ouch!
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”
Inspiration and perspiration are related by more than rhyme.
“I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.”
“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.”
“Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.”
“There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees.”
In every work of genius we recognize our rejected thoughts.
Incompetence is a double-edged banana.
Influence is like a savings account. The less you use it, the more you've got. - Andrew Young, American politician
Intelligence is a tool to be used towards a goal, and goals are not always chosen intelligently. - Larry Niven 'Protector'
Interchangable parts won't.
Incompetence knows no barriers of time or place.
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
Ouch!
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Is your Business all washed up! Appearance is everything.
Ideas out of Flint, Michigan
I’m thinking it’s time now to take a look around the downtown area that I live in and see what needs to be spruced-up come “spring cleaning time“. I understand that sometimes when you live and work in an area for a while, that you tend to overlook some small repairs or clean-up. Yet, others that come to your town or place of business will notice and note the appearance.
Appearance is everything!
When people/customers come to your business what do they see? How does your building or store front look through their eyes? Sometime you have to step back and take it all in. It might be a good idea to take some photos of your own store front or office building and maybe even your neighbors’ businesses and buildings and play a little Sherlock Holmes game I call “What do I see and what’s really there”. It will surprise you once you see, what’s really is being seen.
Although, I normally write this blog as an overview of business practices, today I want to lead by example, by letting you in on a project we are working on in my new/old home town of Flint, Michigan.
“Wash down, Downtown“
Here’s a draft note and outline I’ve “scrubbed” to work in most any town or business area.
Neighbors,
We all are looking foreword to what spring will bring to downtown and we need to be looking good as others re-discover downtown, Flint.
As part of the newly formed Downtown Flint Loft Tenants I/we are committed to helping in anyway possible. This means we are willing to lend a helping hand in organizing and doing lite clean-up.
Many of the store/building fronts are in need of a good, spring cleaning. Maybe, together we can ask our downtown development association, downtown small business association and other community actions groups (like the local area Chamber of Commerce) to coordinate a “Wash down, Downtown“.
Project name
“Downtown Flint, Spring Cleaning Project”
Groups needed to get involved
Our local Downtown or Business Development Association
Community action groups (Not the talkers but the doers!)
Small Business Associations (Those businesses that surround yours)
Local neighborhood associations (They're always looking for projects to lend a hand to.)
Project (projected) date:
Saturday April 17th or Sunday April 18th
Time (TBD) 8am -12:00pm
Project goals:
Pick-up of trash (although DDA does a great job of keeping our streets’ clean there is a need to clean-up private properties with public access.)
Other available action to consider:
Window washing (Exterior)
Power spray washing of building fronts
Light repairs/paint to store fronts
Liability considerations. Private building fronts damaged due to action of clean up team.
Possible alterative action: Business owners’ permission and involvement in clean up of store fronts whereas clean up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Exterior window washing. Working with Business owners’ permission and involvement clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Power washing of building fascia.
Working with local Development Association for power washing equipment, again with Business owners’ permission and involvement in clean up of store fronts whereas, clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Light repairs to store fronts. Again with Business owners’ permission and involvement in minor repairs or painting of store fronts whereas clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Projected clean up area: (insert your own local area) Saginaw st. from River Front Park (Street area only at this time) south to Court street.
Other possible areas of clean up will be considered after manpower assessment, including (insert your local area) alleys parallel to Saginaw St. and streets parallel to Saginaw St.
Resources needed:
Tools: Rakes, brooms, trash pickers, garbage bags, electric cart (Transportation for team leaders). Other possible involvement to be considered: Power washer, window cleaning equipment.
Requested involvement: volunteers, printing of flyers and other advertising materials, newspaper press release and media coverage. Other possible involvement to be considered: store owners’ involvement in own store front clean up, donation of lunches for all clean up volunteers.
As you can see with the projected project date of April 17th or 18th this endeavor will need quick response from possible co-sponsors and are asked to confirm involvement no later than March 24th.
This project is self-evident of the commitment of the people living and working in the area, willingness to help build a vibrant, prosperous community.
Remember: We’re all in this together.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
I’m thinking it’s time now to take a look around the downtown area that I live in and see what needs to be spruced-up come “spring cleaning time“. I understand that sometimes when you live and work in an area for a while, that you tend to overlook some small repairs or clean-up. Yet, others that come to your town or place of business will notice and note the appearance.
Appearance is everything!
When people/customers come to your business what do they see? How does your building or store front look through their eyes? Sometime you have to step back and take it all in. It might be a good idea to take some photos of your own store front or office building and maybe even your neighbors’ businesses and buildings and play a little Sherlock Holmes game I call “What do I see and what’s really there”. It will surprise you once you see, what’s really is being seen.
Although, I normally write this blog as an overview of business practices, today I want to lead by example, by letting you in on a project we are working on in my new/old home town of Flint, Michigan.
“Wash down, Downtown“
Here’s a draft note and outline I’ve “scrubbed” to work in most any town or business area.
Neighbors,
We all are looking foreword to what spring will bring to downtown and we need to be looking good as others re-discover downtown, Flint.
As part of the newly formed Downtown Flint Loft Tenants I/we are committed to helping in anyway possible. This means we are willing to lend a helping hand in organizing and doing lite clean-up.
Many of the store/building fronts are in need of a good, spring cleaning. Maybe, together we can ask our downtown development association, downtown small business association and other community actions groups (like the local area Chamber of Commerce) to coordinate a “Wash down, Downtown“.
Project name
“Downtown Flint, Spring Cleaning Project”
Groups needed to get involved
Our local Downtown or Business Development Association
Community action groups (Not the talkers but the doers!)
Small Business Associations (Those businesses that surround yours)
Local neighborhood associations (They're always looking for projects to lend a hand to.)
Project (projected) date:
Saturday April 17th or Sunday April 18th
Time (TBD) 8am -12:00pm
Project goals:
Pick-up of trash (although DDA does a great job of keeping our streets’ clean there is a need to clean-up private properties with public access.)
Other available action to consider:
Window washing (Exterior)
Power spray washing of building fronts
Light repairs/paint to store fronts
Liability considerations. Private building fronts damaged due to action of clean up team.
Possible alterative action: Business owners’ permission and involvement in clean up of store fronts whereas clean up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Exterior window washing. Working with Business owners’ permission and involvement clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Power washing of building fascia.
Working with local Development Association for power washing equipment, again with Business owners’ permission and involvement in clean up of store fronts whereas, clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Example: Light repairs to store fronts. Again with Business owners’ permission and involvement in minor repairs or painting of store fronts whereas clean-up teams will volunteer labor in helping business owners in clean up.
Projected clean up area: (insert your own local area) Saginaw st. from River Front Park (Street area only at this time) south to Court street.
Other possible areas of clean up will be considered after manpower assessment, including (insert your local area) alleys parallel to Saginaw St. and streets parallel to Saginaw St.
Resources needed:
Tools: Rakes, brooms, trash pickers, garbage bags, electric cart (Transportation for team leaders). Other possible involvement to be considered: Power washer, window cleaning equipment.
Requested involvement: volunteers, printing of flyers and other advertising materials, newspaper press release and media coverage. Other possible involvement to be considered: store owners’ involvement in own store front clean up, donation of lunches for all clean up volunteers.
As you can see with the projected project date of April 17th or 18th this endeavor will need quick response from possible co-sponsors and are asked to confirm involvement no later than March 24th.
This project is self-evident of the commitment of the people living and working in the area, willingness to help build a vibrant, prosperous community.
Remember: We’re all in this together.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A Confidence Scheme.
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” William Shakespeare
Some may think that confidence is the opposite of humility. People sometimes even equate confidence with arrogance. That is a mistake. Rather than being the opposite of confidence, we need to understand that humility is an entirely separate issue.
The truly confident person is one that can fully embrace and celebrate their strengths and talents, and yet never forgets their humanity. They can admit mistakes and failings and yet never feel like a failure. It’s true, your failures do make you stronger. Nothing you endeavor in is ever worthless. You always walk away with more knowledge, being more prepared to attempt and succeed in the next endeavourer.
A person must live in gratitude for the abilities they have been given and never fail to see the giftedness in others. Never be jealous of others talents but willing to learn from what other’s talents can teach us. Understanding that within ourselves we too have a inner genius that must be in continuous development. We must always be learning, always trying and never, never give up. These elements make up true and lasting confidence.
Living with confidence because you’re a genius!
You’ve heard it said “Necessity is the mother of invention” Well, I say “Creativity is the mother of invention”. I define genius as finding your very own inner creative menes. That’s right, menes, our bodies are built with genes, that is what makes each of us as physical individuals. Our menes are the parts that make up our personality. Just as each of us have physical genius: or physical abilities such as balance, flexibility, reflexes, strength, movement, all equaling our physical capabilities. Our menes are the parts that make up our personal genius that we are mentally capable of.
It’s not just about your tested mental IQ. To find the sum of your menes or genius takes the wiliness to commit to the search of your genius, testing and looking for its limits and abilities just as we do with our bodies. It doesn’t just come to you like a bolt of lighting, sure some find their physical genius early like the ability to play pro baseball while others get to publicly display their mental genius like the famous genius of Einstein or Leonardo. Just because you’ve not been on television or someone hasn’t written a book about you does not mean you’re not a genius! Most genius is un-published! It can be found in the everyday of living. It’s found in the little bits of brilliance of our daily living and it can be developed into adding value to everyone else’s daily living! There is no test created for your personal genius. You have to write it yourself!
Everyone has their own inner genius for which they are superior at doing. We all have a genius within our own nitch. Think about this! If you where stranded on a desert island and living in a cave and one night you heard something rustling around in the bushes outside. Who would you really want to be there in the cave with you? Einstein!? What would he do? Confuse the creature with his theory of gravity. No! you want someone with the genius of bravery or the genius of survival or the genius of mimicking the scary sounds of a shell being racked into a sawed off shotgun!
You should be committed! It all starts in the doing. One step at a time, one foot before the other. Committed to the long walk.
Here are the first steps! Takes approximately 20 minutes.
1) If you liked what you have read here or want to learn more, commit to a day and time for continuing to stopping by this site and reading what’s going on.
2) Think about 10 things you like to do. Count them out on your fingers.
3) Write a personal resume. Not a work resume but a resume of your life. Write down the things that you like to do: fishing, reading books, watching movies, painting, organizing your sock drawer, talking to people. List everything you like to do.
4) List the education you have: classes that you liked taking, books like to read, places that you enjoyed traveling to, three most important things that people have taught you.
5) List jobs that you have done, not just paying jobs: Pick out the parts of the job you liked best or feel you did best at.
6) When you’re finished just set it aside for the night. The next day look for the pattern of things that you really like doing or felt good doing. Be proud in seeing the things you like to do and look how those are the things you always seem to see though to completion.
7) On a big piece of paper draw a large inverted triangle: with the point at the bottom, the widest area at the top. Write out words or short sentences representing the thing you like to do or are good at within the triangle.
8) Now start thinking about the list and watch as you melt the overall list into just a couple of short sentences that can be written underneath the point at the bottom of the triangle. Those sentences are what you should be doing. Don’t be inhibited with coming to a conclusion that it doesn’t look to be rational. Don’t look at “what you should be doing” as needing to be practical. Don’t see the outcome as not having any monetary reward. Just look at it for what it is.
9) Next time we get together we will discuss how to make what you like to do into a money making reality.
10) I acknowledge I do not have the genius of grammar, spelling or in the written word but I am better at it than I used to be and will be better at it as I continue to work this menes’ muscle. Thanks for your genius of understanding my inadequacies.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Some may think that confidence is the opposite of humility. People sometimes even equate confidence with arrogance. That is a mistake. Rather than being the opposite of confidence, we need to understand that humility is an entirely separate issue.
The truly confident person is one that can fully embrace and celebrate their strengths and talents, and yet never forgets their humanity. They can admit mistakes and failings and yet never feel like a failure. It’s true, your failures do make you stronger. Nothing you endeavor in is ever worthless. You always walk away with more knowledge, being more prepared to attempt and succeed in the next endeavourer.
A person must live in gratitude for the abilities they have been given and never fail to see the giftedness in others. Never be jealous of others talents but willing to learn from what other’s talents can teach us. Understanding that within ourselves we too have a inner genius that must be in continuous development. We must always be learning, always trying and never, never give up. These elements make up true and lasting confidence.
Living with confidence because you’re a genius!
You’ve heard it said “Necessity is the mother of invention” Well, I say “Creativity is the mother of invention”. I define genius as finding your very own inner creative menes. That’s right, menes, our bodies are built with genes, that is what makes each of us as physical individuals. Our menes are the parts that make up our personality. Just as each of us have physical genius: or physical abilities such as balance, flexibility, reflexes, strength, movement, all equaling our physical capabilities. Our menes are the parts that make up our personal genius that we are mentally capable of.
It’s not just about your tested mental IQ. To find the sum of your menes or genius takes the wiliness to commit to the search of your genius, testing and looking for its limits and abilities just as we do with our bodies. It doesn’t just come to you like a bolt of lighting, sure some find their physical genius early like the ability to play pro baseball while others get to publicly display their mental genius like the famous genius of Einstein or Leonardo. Just because you’ve not been on television or someone hasn’t written a book about you does not mean you’re not a genius! Most genius is un-published! It can be found in the everyday of living. It’s found in the little bits of brilliance of our daily living and it can be developed into adding value to everyone else’s daily living! There is no test created for your personal genius. You have to write it yourself!
Everyone has their own inner genius for which they are superior at doing. We all have a genius within our own nitch. Think about this! If you where stranded on a desert island and living in a cave and one night you heard something rustling around in the bushes outside. Who would you really want to be there in the cave with you? Einstein!? What would he do? Confuse the creature with his theory of gravity. No! you want someone with the genius of bravery or the genius of survival or the genius of mimicking the scary sounds of a shell being racked into a sawed off shotgun!
You should be committed! It all starts in the doing. One step at a time, one foot before the other. Committed to the long walk.
Here are the first steps! Takes approximately 20 minutes.
1) If you liked what you have read here or want to learn more, commit to a day and time for continuing to stopping by this site and reading what’s going on.
2) Think about 10 things you like to do. Count them out on your fingers.
3) Write a personal resume. Not a work resume but a resume of your life. Write down the things that you like to do: fishing, reading books, watching movies, painting, organizing your sock drawer, talking to people. List everything you like to do.
4) List the education you have: classes that you liked taking, books like to read, places that you enjoyed traveling to, three most important things that people have taught you.
5) List jobs that you have done, not just paying jobs: Pick out the parts of the job you liked best or feel you did best at.
6) When you’re finished just set it aside for the night. The next day look for the pattern of things that you really like doing or felt good doing. Be proud in seeing the things you like to do and look how those are the things you always seem to see though to completion.
7) On a big piece of paper draw a large inverted triangle: with the point at the bottom, the widest area at the top. Write out words or short sentences representing the thing you like to do or are good at within the triangle.
8) Now start thinking about the list and watch as you melt the overall list into just a couple of short sentences that can be written underneath the point at the bottom of the triangle. Those sentences are what you should be doing. Don’t be inhibited with coming to a conclusion that it doesn’t look to be rational. Don’t look at “what you should be doing” as needing to be practical. Don’t see the outcome as not having any monetary reward. Just look at it for what it is.
9) Next time we get together we will discuss how to make what you like to do into a money making reality.
10) I acknowledge I do not have the genius of grammar, spelling or in the written word but I am better at it than I used to be and will be better at it as I continue to work this menes’ muscle. Thanks for your genius of understanding my inadequacies.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Today’s word: “Execution” and I don’t mean the electric chair kind!
A murderer, sitting in the electric chair, was about to be executed. "Have you any last requests? Asked the executioner. "Yes," replied the murderer. "Will you hold my hand?"
“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” Napoleon Bonaparte
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Definition
Execution: Carry out intentions: transitive verb to put an instruction or plan into effect.
You’ve been planning a new sales program, or maybe planning to hiring new staff, possibly starting a new training project, you could be planning to tell your love one how much you appreciate them, no mater what you’ve been planning, it’s time to do it now!
It’s time to execute your plan. The time for talking, organizing and analyzing is over. You can do that forever. It’s time to take your plans to actions. Don’t be stuck in the continuing rut of planning. Planning session can last forever, risk management managers will always tell you, that you need more time to plan. Analyst can analyze to the infinite. Quit wasting time!
It’s time to do! Planning doesn’t make results. Doing does!
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan.
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” Napoleon Bonaparte
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Definition
Execution: Carry out intentions: transitive verb to put an instruction or plan into effect.
You’ve been planning a new sales program, or maybe planning to hiring new staff, possibly starting a new training project, you could be planning to tell your love one how much you appreciate them, no mater what you’ve been planning, it’s time to do it now!
It’s time to execute your plan. The time for talking, organizing and analyzing is over. You can do that forever. It’s time to take your plans to actions. Don’t be stuck in the continuing rut of planning. Planning session can last forever, risk management managers will always tell you, that you need more time to plan. Analyst can analyze to the infinite. Quit wasting time!
It’s time to do! Planning doesn’t make results. Doing does!
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan.
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Funny Business Jokes of the day!
Business Jokes of the Day!
If you see a man approaching you with the obvious intent of doing you good, you should run for your life.
If you see that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, promptly develops.
If you stand in one place long enough, you make a line.
If you step out of a short line for a second, it becomes a long line.
If you think that OSHA is a small town in Wisconsin, you're in trouble.
If you think the problem is bad now, just wait until we've solved it.
If you throw something away, you will need it the next day.
If you try to please everybody, nobody will like it.
If you understand it, it is obsolete.
If you want to be well liked, never lie about yourself, and be careful when telling the truth about others.
It works better if you plug it in.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resourse Training Consultant Flint, Michigan.
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT:Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
If you see a man approaching you with the obvious intent of doing you good, you should run for your life.
If you see that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, promptly develops.
If you stand in one place long enough, you make a line.
If you step out of a short line for a second, it becomes a long line.
If you think that OSHA is a small town in Wisconsin, you're in trouble.
If you think the problem is bad now, just wait until we've solved it.
If you throw something away, you will need it the next day.
If you try to please everybody, nobody will like it.
If you understand it, it is obsolete.
If you want to be well liked, never lie about yourself, and be careful when telling the truth about others.
It works better if you plug it in.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resourse Training Consultant Flint, Michigan.
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT:Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Negative thinking, negative energy, negative returns.
No, Nay, never, No, nay never no more. Will I play the wild rover, No, Nay, never, no more ...Irish Folk song
Negative thinking stops the flow:
I’ve worked as a professional improvisational comic and improv instructor for many years and I have personally seen many instances relating to the stories of Malcolm Gladwell, from his book “Blink”. He uses as an analogy that I can relates to in how negative words can stop the flow towards a goal. He tells about how while he was sitting in on a improv class, he watched first hand how the word “no” can stop the flow of a scene and how the that stoppage of flow was relatable to our everyday lives. In his story he describes a group improvising a scene that went something like this.
A: I’m having trouble with my leg.
B: I’m afraid I’ll have to amputate.
A: You can’t do that, doctor.
B: Why not?
A: Because I’m rather attached to it.
B: Come on, man.
A: I’ve got this growth on my arm too, Doctor.
The trouble with the scene was that by using a negative “You can’t do that, Doctor.” it gave his partner no were to go. It stopped the flow. The B player had nothing to build on, nothing to work with in creating a new thought. One of the very first things I teach my students is to “Never say NO! Never deny, always be accepting and always be building.”
If the player hadn’t used the stopping word “Can’t” the scene may have moved along and flowed something like this:
A: I’m having trouble with my leg.
B: I’m afraid I’ll have to amputate.
A: But it’s the one you amputated last week.
B: So you’re having problems with your wooden leg?
A: Yes, it’s hurts.
B: Let me take a look. Sure enough you have termites.
A: Termites! Is that bad.
B: It’s not good.
A: Can you fix it?
B: Sure, comeback on Wednesday, on Wednesdays I do wood work!
See how words can stop the thinking flow in others as well as ourselves? Did you see how using open words, allowed his partner to open his mind to the flow of creating?
How to stop a negative: By using a double negative against it? NO, NEVER!
I can hear what you are thinking right now. Your thinking: “I want to stop my negative thoughts so I will just say no to negative thinking!” Oops, using a negative to fight a negative is not going to work. But replacing a negative with a positive will. Don’t worry about the math, that’s for someone else to figure out. In removing negatives from our vocabulary and our thinking, you will be leaving a void that will have to be refilled with something. So we need to fill that void with something else. That something else is positive speaking and positive thinking.
Today’s Assignment: You are going to be conscious of how many times you use negative words. Right now, just say to yourself that this is what you’re going to do today. “I am going to be conscious of how many times the words no, nay, never, no more, are used in my vocabulary and thoughts”. (Okay, so you won’t use the word "nay" too much).
This doesn’t mean you can’t say the word no. Later we will even discuss when it is imperative to say no. Common sense will dictate your use of the word, but watch how many times you use the negative form of the verb. Then try to think about how you could have restated or to have inverted the sentence to a positive.
Example: “No Johnny you can’t do that.” USE: “Johnny instead of doing that, how about you doing this.
Example: “I can’t get this work done on time.” USE: “I can get this work done on time, but let’s take a moment to figure out how.”
Example: “I don’t have the money to fix this” USE: “So I need how much? Okay let’s find the money”
Example: I will not drink (Insert anything you don’t want to do) any more.” USE an alterative statement, “I am going to start “exercising” (Insert what you do want to do) more.”
Remember words are incredibly powerful. The uses of words affect our thought process and our bodies. The words you use can create a bad day or a fantastic, fulfilling, abundant day.
So go out and have a fantastic day! Remember; we're all in this together!
P.S. The Irish Folk song “No, Nay, never, No, nay never no more.” was written by a Irishman that was about to be married. He used the negative words as a means to contemplate and keep his marital vows, which actually worked against him, as the negative thinking turned into reality. Not the positive outcome he imagined. He went on to later to pen a song for Brittney Spears named: “Opps, I did it again”
P.S.S Just kidding! Stephen James
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Negative thinking stops the flow:
I’ve worked as a professional improvisational comic and improv instructor for many years and I have personally seen many instances relating to the stories of Malcolm Gladwell, from his book “Blink”. He uses as an analogy that I can relates to in how negative words can stop the flow towards a goal. He tells about how while he was sitting in on a improv class, he watched first hand how the word “no” can stop the flow of a scene and how the that stoppage of flow was relatable to our everyday lives. In his story he describes a group improvising a scene that went something like this.
A: I’m having trouble with my leg.
B: I’m afraid I’ll have to amputate.
A: You can’t do that, doctor.
B: Why not?
A: Because I’m rather attached to it.
B: Come on, man.
A: I’ve got this growth on my arm too, Doctor.
The trouble with the scene was that by using a negative “You can’t do that, Doctor.” it gave his partner no were to go. It stopped the flow. The B player had nothing to build on, nothing to work with in creating a new thought. One of the very first things I teach my students is to “Never say NO! Never deny, always be accepting and always be building.”
If the player hadn’t used the stopping word “Can’t” the scene may have moved along and flowed something like this:
A: I’m having trouble with my leg.
B: I’m afraid I’ll have to amputate.
A: But it’s the one you amputated last week.
B: So you’re having problems with your wooden leg?
A: Yes, it’s hurts.
B: Let me take a look. Sure enough you have termites.
A: Termites! Is that bad.
B: It’s not good.
A: Can you fix it?
B: Sure, comeback on Wednesday, on Wednesdays I do wood work!
See how words can stop the thinking flow in others as well as ourselves? Did you see how using open words, allowed his partner to open his mind to the flow of creating?
How to stop a negative: By using a double negative against it? NO, NEVER!
I can hear what you are thinking right now. Your thinking: “I want to stop my negative thoughts so I will just say no to negative thinking!” Oops, using a negative to fight a negative is not going to work. But replacing a negative with a positive will. Don’t worry about the math, that’s for someone else to figure out. In removing negatives from our vocabulary and our thinking, you will be leaving a void that will have to be refilled with something. So we need to fill that void with something else. That something else is positive speaking and positive thinking.
Today’s Assignment: You are going to be conscious of how many times you use negative words. Right now, just say to yourself that this is what you’re going to do today. “I am going to be conscious of how many times the words no, nay, never, no more, are used in my vocabulary and thoughts”. (Okay, so you won’t use the word "nay" too much).
This doesn’t mean you can’t say the word no. Later we will even discuss when it is imperative to say no. Common sense will dictate your use of the word, but watch how many times you use the negative form of the verb. Then try to think about how you could have restated or to have inverted the sentence to a positive.
Example: “No Johnny you can’t do that.” USE: “Johnny instead of doing that, how about you doing this.
Example: “I can’t get this work done on time.” USE: “I can get this work done on time, but let’s take a moment to figure out how.”
Example: “I don’t have the money to fix this” USE: “So I need how much? Okay let’s find the money”
Example: I will not drink (Insert anything you don’t want to do) any more.” USE an alterative statement, “I am going to start “exercising” (Insert what you do want to do) more.”
Remember words are incredibly powerful. The uses of words affect our thought process and our bodies. The words you use can create a bad day or a fantastic, fulfilling, abundant day.
So go out and have a fantastic day! Remember; we're all in this together!
P.S. The Irish Folk song “No, Nay, never, No, nay never no more.” was written by a Irishman that was about to be married. He used the negative words as a means to contemplate and keep his marital vows, which actually worked against him, as the negative thinking turned into reality. Not the positive outcome he imagined. He went on to later to pen a song for Brittney Spears named: “Opps, I did it again”
P.S.S Just kidding! Stephen James
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT: Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com Phone: 810-618-7517 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
What made the Acme Company so great? It had no limitations imposed onto itself!
Why do you think that Wile E. Coyote always purchased his Road Runner killing equipment from the Acme Company? It’s because they had anything he could image available for him. Be it rocket propelled roller skates, humongous sling shots or 500 pound sticks of dynamite, Acme had it all.
Course you might be thinking, but they were an imaginary company and their stock was only limited to the imagination of the cartoon writer, that’s not reality! Or is it? Just because your company doesn’t make the widgets or creates the services to be the “End all, be all” company, doesn’t mean you can’t have alliances with others that do have the products or services you don’t vendor. (Didn’t you just love my use of triple negatives in the last sentence? It’s kind of like attempting the dreaded and ever dangerous “Triple Take” during a comedy skit!)
Take for example Teton Business Solutions, they’ve start a new alliance program with their customers and venders. By creating this alliance Teton now has at its fingertips a huge assortment of assets to draw from and the companies they’re aligned with have all the resources Teton has to offer at theirs.
How does it work? The Program as intended will benefit the following areas of Joint Venture Business:
1) Improved Channel Management Knowledge
2) Resource Availability within Alliances
3) Promotion of Products and Services
4) Indirect Operational Cost Saving Opportunity
In layman’s terms: you get a group of trusted businesses within your area (But could be national) and team up to find ways to help each other succeed. Yes! That’s right! Helping others succeed! Unheard of in business isn’t it. But the benefits are shared among the group. Each time someone succeeds it means that each member of the alliance also inherits a greater chance to profit. As each of you extends into larger territory you share that information with others of the group. Each then has the opportunity to reach into the new possibilities.
Pie in the sky you say?! Let me tell you how my company did this.
After learning about Strategic Alliances from Teton Business Solutions and aligning ourselves with Teton, we’ve implemented our own alliance that now is also loosely aligned with Teton (Since I am already aligned with Teton, my new alliance has opportunities to work with Teton).
We’ve brought together a team of entertainers and promoters to each of our mutual benefit. I get more booking because the promoters and I are working together to get us into more clubs and then we the entertainers funnel our advertising dollar from the club owners to our alliance promoters, that then super promote our gigs so we get huge crowds thereby, making clubs owner more willing to give me bigger gigs. Our alliance promoters then get more “bang” for the buck with the advertisers by buying bigger ads at discounted rates and a bigger profit margin from the percentage they get for promoting the gig. It’s a win, win situation for all of us.
To learn more about creating alliances and how you can align yourself with a great team of Human Resource managers call, write or go to the Teton Business Solutions website at: http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com/
Remember; we’re all in this together.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant
Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT:
Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com
Phone: 810-618-7517
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
Course you might be thinking, but they were an imaginary company and their stock was only limited to the imagination of the cartoon writer, that’s not reality! Or is it? Just because your company doesn’t make the widgets or creates the services to be the “End all, be all” company, doesn’t mean you can’t have alliances with others that do have the products or services you don’t vendor. (Didn’t you just love my use of triple negatives in the last sentence? It’s kind of like attempting the dreaded and ever dangerous “Triple Take” during a comedy skit!)
Take for example Teton Business Solutions, they’ve start a new alliance program with their customers and venders. By creating this alliance Teton now has at its fingertips a huge assortment of assets to draw from and the companies they’re aligned with have all the resources Teton has to offer at theirs.
How does it work? The Program as intended will benefit the following areas of Joint Venture Business:
1) Improved Channel Management Knowledge
2) Resource Availability within Alliances
3) Promotion of Products and Services
4) Indirect Operational Cost Saving Opportunity
In layman’s terms: you get a group of trusted businesses within your area (But could be national) and team up to find ways to help each other succeed. Yes! That’s right! Helping others succeed! Unheard of in business isn’t it. But the benefits are shared among the group. Each time someone succeeds it means that each member of the alliance also inherits a greater chance to profit. As each of you extends into larger territory you share that information with others of the group. Each then has the opportunity to reach into the new possibilities.
Pie in the sky you say?! Let me tell you how my company did this.
After learning about Strategic Alliances from Teton Business Solutions and aligning ourselves with Teton, we’ve implemented our own alliance that now is also loosely aligned with Teton (Since I am already aligned with Teton, my new alliance has opportunities to work with Teton).
We’ve brought together a team of entertainers and promoters to each of our mutual benefit. I get more booking because the promoters and I are working together to get us into more clubs and then we the entertainers funnel our advertising dollar from the club owners to our alliance promoters, that then super promote our gigs so we get huge crowds thereby, making clubs owner more willing to give me bigger gigs. Our alliance promoters then get more “bang” for the buck with the advertisers by buying bigger ads at discounted rates and a bigger profit margin from the percentage they get for promoting the gig. It’s a win, win situation for all of us.
To learn more about creating alliances and how you can align yourself with a great team of Human Resource managers call, write or go to the Teton Business Solutions website at: http://www.tetonbusinesssolutions.com/
Remember; we’re all in this together.
Stephen James Comedy Improv & Human Resource Training Consultant
Flint, Michigan
If you’re looking to re-energize your Sales Force, inspire your Marketing Department or to encourage your Board to think “Out of the Box”, “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe Corporate Team Building” will work together with you in delivering the message you want to give! Team Building will always be a top priority for today's organizations. Building effective teamwork through leading edge corporate and organizational team building programs is one of “The Stephen James Comedy Troupe” (Corporate Team Training) greatest capabilities! And we make it so much FUN! CONTACT US AT:
Email: stephenjamescomedy@gmail.com
Phone: 810-618-7517
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/thestephenjamescomedytroupe
Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com
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