Running a Business Can Kill You!

You need a vacation when….

1) You find yourself thinking of reasons why you need a vacation.

2) You start thinking of early death from job stress as a comfort.

3) You start hallucinating tropical fish in the company water cooler.

Norman Vincent Peale tells the story of a man that told his physician that work was feeling like a wave covering over and drowning him. He said that every night he fills his briefcase full of work to do at home. When the physician asked “Why” the man replied “I have to get it done.” He fumed, “I am the only one who can do it!” “Everything depends upon me!”

“If I write you a prescription, will you follow it?” Asked the doctor.

Thinking it was some kind of medication the man said “Yes.”

The doctor wrote out these words on a piece of paper. “Take one hour a day off to go for a walk. Take one day off a week and use half the day in a cemetery.”

Astonished the patient demanded, “Why should I spend a half day in a cemetery?”

“Because” answered the doctor, “I want you to wonder around and look at the gravestones of men who are there permanently. Meditate on the fact that many of them are there because they thought like you do, that the world rested on their shoulders. Sit there and think about how the world will go on without you just as it’s done without them.

Wooow! Pretty sobering thought, hu!

Maybe you can relate to this business man. Running a business can KILL you! Overworked, under-appreciated, no time for yourself or family. STOP! Get help!

There’s lots of ways to cut your work load: You can delegate the work load. But then again you might not have staff talented or experienced enough to do what’s needed.

You could spend lots of time and money hiring new in-house people to do your staff training or you could deligate it and have a little laugh vacation too!

Here is some help:

If you’re looking to re-energize your Staff, 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 interactive "Improv games" 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

Funny Business Friday. Weekending business jokes!

Business Joke 1

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces his altitude and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: “Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?” The man below says: “Yes, you re in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field.” “You must work in Technical Support,” says the balloonist. “I do,” replies the man. “How did you know?” “Well” says the balloonist, “everything you have told me is technically correct, but completely useless.” The man below says: “You must be in management.” “I am,” replies the balloonist, “but how did you know?” “Well”, says the man, “you don’t know where you are, or where you re going, but you expect me to be able to help. You re still in the same position you were before we met, but now it’s my fault.”

Business Joke 2

Several weeks after a young man had been hired, he was called into the personnel director’s office. “What is the meaning of this?” the director asked. “When you applied for this job, you told us you had five years experience. Now we discovered this is the first job you’ve ever held.” “Well,” the young man replied, “in your advertisement you said you wanted somebody with imagination.”

Business Joke 3

A new business was opening and one of the owner’s friends wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card; it said “Rest in Peace”. The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the obvious mistake and how angry he was ,the florist said. “Sir, I m really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry you should imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, “Congratulations on your new location.”

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Do you have a friend who also has a Positively Flint attitude? Tell them about us. We don’t “search” for friends, we just do what we do, and Positively Flint friends join us!  https://www.facebook.com/positively.flint

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An Irish Business Song?!

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



Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com

Funny Business Friday. Weekend business jokes!

The Ten Commandments Of Employment

1. If it rings, put it on hold.
2. If it clunks, call the repairman.
3. If it whistles, ignore it.
4. If it's a friend, stop work and chat.
5. If it's the boss, look busy.
6. If it talks, take notes.
7. If it's handwritten, type it.
8. if it's typed, copy it.
9. If it's copied, file it.
10. If it's Friday, forget it!

Work vs Prison
IN PRISON... you spend the majority of your time in an 8X10 cell.
AT WORK... you spend the majority of your time in a 6X8 cubicle.

IN PRISON... you get three meals a day.
AT WORK... you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.

IN PRISON... you get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK... you get more work for good behavior.

IN PRISON... the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK... you must carry around a security card and open all the doors for yourself.

IN PRISON... you can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK... you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON... all expenses are paid by the taxpayers with no work required
AT WORK... you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON... you spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out.
AT WORK... you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON... you must deal with sadistic wardens.
AT WORK... they are called managers.

So why is it, again, that we work?

This is the Friday Funnies from Funny Business, sponsored by

Sponsored by: Teton Business Solutions. If your company needs staffing, Teton is the business you should turn to for you all your staffing needs. With our leadership having over 35 years of experience we know that Teton can meet your company expectations. Call us: (810) 767-5111

NO JOKE!

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 mentaly 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 you have read, life experiences, places that you have traveled to, 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.

Yours, Stephen James

Moe Howard of the “Three Stooges”, displayed incredible leadership abilities and now you can too!

[After a prolonged fight in the dark where everyone keeps hitting the wrong people before finally knocking out the bad guys]

Moe Howard: “I knew you'd get the right ones if you kept on swinging. You knuckleheads”!

I’ve read countless books on leadership and how to be a better leader. But finding stuff written about how a person can become a real leader and not just one in appearance are few and far between.

Here’s some hints and tip on leadership that have been given: Let just say they’re from the Moe Howard School of Leadership.

Remind people that you are in charge. “You guys are nothing but a bunch of Knuckleheads” Moe Howard

Never linger after a meeting. Leave A.S.A.P. so others think you’re off on more important matters. “Shut up your mouth, if I want your opinion I’d give it to you!” Moe Howard

Don’t make friends with underlings. “I can’t waste my time talking to you boneheads!” Moe Howard

Being a good leader is about being more than what you appear to be. The secret is……Integrity, gentleness and empathy.

Integrity is the incorporation of outward actions from inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside as on the inside.

Gentleness is best defined as: Someone with the power to crush another person but doesn’t use it. If I have to explain to you what that means then you don’t have leadership abilities, but you might make a good Moe Howard.

Empathy: "The ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts or feelings." -- Webster's New World Dictionary

If you want to persuade and influence people to buy into your vision and your leadership, you must first question them to understand them. But you must also share some of your own personal dreams, aspirations and fears so that you create a bond of mutual respect.

The best workers in the world are ones that have a personal bond to the organization they work for. Don’t create a workplace of fearful, robot, yes men. Let the most important asset your company has; be unleashed to bring you their ideas and opinions that may, just turn out to be, the best idea your company ever had!


Remember! Be the leader you would want to follow. This will inspire others to emulate you and your values.

Stephen James 

Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/

Friday Funnies From Funny Business

To get something done, a committee should consist of no more than three men, two of them absent.

To know yourself is the ultimate form of aggression.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

To succeed in politics, it is often necessary to rise above your principles.

Too light for heavy work and too heavy for light work.

Treat people as if they are what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

Trust everybody...then cut the cards.

Try to be the best of whatever you are, even if what you are is no good.

Try to get all of your posthumous medals in advance.

Two heads are more numerous than one.

Stephen James 


Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com

People are idiots and so am I.

"If there are any idiots in the room, will they please stand up" said the sarcastic teacher.
After a long silence, one freshman rose to his feet.
"Now then mister, why do you consider yourself an idiot?" enquired the teacher with a sneer.
"Well, actually I don't," said the student, "but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself."

Handling difficult people:

It should come as no surprise that some people in the world are idiots. They are twisted, uncooperative, cantankerous, distorted, pains in the butt. You know the person I am talking about, we all do. They’re in the work place, in politics and throughout the community.

Idiots in action

Example: Let’s pretend you’ve just arrived into a new community and decide to join a community organization. This group of volunteers is genuinely interested in working on planting gardens, sprucing up rundown areas, and repairing or removing dilapidated buildings. One member, however, opposes every measure and idea anyone suggests. More that that, he constantly attacks the motive of the others. He makes the meeting of the group so unpleasant that attendance begins to decline.

The idiot causes so much trouble that the others band together to kick his sorry buttocks out of the group.

Question: Do you join the others in outing the idiot?

The making of an idiot!

Sigmund Freud (Yes, the sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, guy) thinks that unless a person has been shown and practices love, it sickens and dies. Love includes understanding, goodwill, and respect for others. The more love and goodwill you emanate and exude, the more comes back to you.

He must have never worked with an idiot, but then again what if he’s right? Nay, let’s kick the pain in the neck out and humiliate him even more then he has been other times in his life!

Or maybe……

The practice of empathy in human relationships:

Instead of beating the crap out of him, we bite our lip; prepare our mind before the next meeting. Think about the underlying pain in this guy’s life, surround him with positive thoughts and try our best to compliment and encourage him personally as well as publicly.

I’ll be damned, it worked!

Sure it takes some time. Results don’t happen overnight. But in time the guy comes around, starts encouraging others’ ideas (after carefully but politely examining the idea and its short comings) and becomes actively involved in creating tangible results! OH MY!

The whole idea about writing about idiot comes from my self-examination of the people I associate with and how lucky I am that they’re not idiots.

This city is full of good, respectful, loving folks. Don’t let a few “idiots” get you down.

P.S. Examining and questioning ideas and motives don’t make you and idiot. Using disrespectful comments and disparaging words without proposing a solution does!


Funny Business is a humorous look at some serious issues your business or organizations have to address. http://funnybusinessbystephenjames.blogspot.com/

We Have to Change Our Ways!

As Tom Sumner (Flint resident and radio host) so pointedly explains in his story “Would I have the blues?” that there are two kinds of people. Those that think the glass is half full (Positive thinkers) and those that think the glass is half empty (Negative thinkers). He submits that there’s a third group of people, those that say, “Hey can we get some more water in this glass over here?!”

The Positive Thinkers, or the doers, are always doing their best with what they have and the “Negtivos”, are those that complain about what they do have, both have one thing in common, limited resources.

Aren’t “resources” the number one need of any business? Be it tangible resources like products to sell or intangible resources like ideas for a new product to sell. Business is about “resource availability”.

Crap, even a genius like Einstein had limited resources. He might have understood the math but could he host a radio show like Tom Sumner does, or create an advertising campaign like The Spencer Agency can? Could Einstein make a delicious sandwich like Tracy Whipley of the Lunch Studio can make? I don’t think so. (Okay, so maybe Einstein could make a great sandwich, but resource data is limited on the subject!)

That’s why growing a business or keeping a business open is about gathering resources.

What resource is your company missing?

Maybe you need a spoke person for your business, maybe a new advertising campaign to boost sales, maybe new recipes for the menu, maybe someone to do your employee hiring and training.

STOP!

Here is some help!

If you’re looking to re-energize your Staff, 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 interactive "Improv games" 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

100% Funny Business Friday

What makes life 100%? 

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been to those meetings where someone wants more than 100%.

How about achieving 103%?

Here's a little math that might prove helpful.

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

then:

H A R D W O R K
8 1 18 4 23 15 18 11 = 98%

K N O W L E D G E
11 14 15 23 12 5 4 7 5 = 96%

but:

A T T I T U D E
1 20 20 9 20 21 4 5 = 100%

and:
B U L L S H I T
2 21 12 12 19 8 9 20 = 103%

So, it stands to reason that hard work and knowledge will get you close,
attitude will get you there, but bullshit will put you over the top.

And look how far this will take you...

A S S K I S S I N G
1 19 19 11 9 19 19 9 14 7 = 118%

Think about it... and have a nice day at work... :) 

Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $50.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

Churchill’s, the kind of pub every College Town needs.

Flint, Michigan: I would think that no matter what College you attended there was a Churchill’s type pub in the area. It was the place to let off a little steam, meet with friends, find new friends, share common interest, and maybe even find a date.

Churchill’s if just that kind of place; it’s laid back atmosphere, cheap beer, hot food and good music in the background that’s not so loud that you can’t have a conversation, makes for the perfect college town meeting place.

Flint area college students remember this; someday you’ll be reminiscing about the times you spent in college with the words “Remember the time we were at Churchill’s….” So the next time you’re bored, overwhelmed or feeling a little lonely, stop by Churchill’s Food & Spirits and become part of its history.



THE INFORMATION AGE has brought about a new set of communication tools that are pushing some traditional media to the brink of extinction. You need to understand these new media and use the effectively to reach your customers. You need to know how to blend the best of traditional media with the new digital media to increase your reach. Learn more about what Carriage Town Media can do for your business or organization. https://sites.google.com/site/carriagetownmedia


Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $50.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

Your face shows us what your Business is saying!

RIDDLE: “It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

Answer: Smile

Everyone Is Watching!

Sponsored by: Teton Business Solutions

If your company needs staffing Teton is the business you should turn to for you staffing need. With our leadership having over35 years of experience we know that Teton can meet your company expectations.

Think back to all the miserable faces you see on the way to school or work each day.

Yet, when smiled at, these same people will most often smile in return.

Check out the following facts about smiling:

72% of people think of those who smile frequently as being more confident and successful.

86% of people say that they are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers if they are smiling.

Bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot.

Research shows that 65% of communication is non-verbal (many claim an even higher percentage).

The effects of a smile are so powerful that even a smile on the telephone produces positive results.

When someone comes into a room, people are automatically drawn to their face, and a smile provides a warm greeting.

Research has shown that when two people in conversation use the same kind of body movements and gestures (such as smiling), they will experience greater empathy for each other, which they may not even consciously notice.

The Value of a Smile: Increased sales!!!

Does the uniform your employees wear include a smile?

We all have walked into a business only to have the person working the counter stare at us with the “What the heck do you want?” look.

It doesn’t make you comfortable and deep inside it makes you just want to get what you came for and get out.

I once moved to a city just because every 7-11 store (I’m a Slurpee junkie) I went into all had sales folks that smiled at me. Really, no kidding! I had been living in Miami and was feeling bad about how everyone there seemed to be so grouchy. The friendly service I found made me believe that everyone in that town was happy. And by god they were (for the most part)!

So what do your employees’ faces say to your customers?

Do you want to make increase sales, add on’s and impulse buys? Do you want customers returning to your business? Do you want the people that come into your business talk to their friends about how nice your place is?

Teach your employees to smile!

Tip number one:

Smile at your employees and they’ll smile too.

Teach your employee the importance of the “first impression”.

Have a short training time with your employees about appearance and its effect on customers.

OR

Talk to the folks at Teton Business Solutions for help finding employee with a smile.

Teton Business Solutions is in the business of helping your business succeed. Be it staffing, training, payroll, tax consulting and other services that will help your business stay ahead of the competition.

Pop in on the folks at Teton Business Solutions in downtown Flint, Michigan or click here to see their website: Teton Business Solutions.

You’ll be smiling all the way to the bank!

WHY PEOPLE ARE LATE...

WHY PEOPLE ARE LATE...
AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!

by Alyce Cornyn-Selby

Why is it that it’s always the most talented employee you have seems to have some kind of irritating habit! Example; Lateness.

You’re on time. You see no reason why everyone shouldn’t be on time. What is it about

time that some people just don’t “get”? Whether the perennially late person is in your personal life or your professional life, it can create stress for you to the point that it may disrupt work and ruin relationships.

Four reasons why people are late (to appointments or with scheduled assignments):

Because you make excuses for their lateness. Yes, sometime we employers cover for late arriving employees. This is mostly done because the late employee is so good for our business in other ways that we cut them a break that we wouldn’t cut for others for being late. This just empowers the late employee to continue to be late.

They’re late and they don’t know their behavior is a problem for others.

1) They’re late because they’re living up to a reputation for being late. Take this quiz. Who sang: “I’m late, I’m late...for a very important date”? We all recognize the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. “I’m late, I’m late” was the bunny’s mantra; he said it over and over to himself. His reputation was his identity. He was the late character. Many people have become like this rabbit. They think of themselves as people who are always late so, guess what? They’re late. It becomes a part of how they think the world sees them and therefore, how they must be.

2) They’re late because they’re too optimistic. I know you’ve been told to look on the sunny side of the street but optimism can get in the way when you say to yourself, “I can make it across town in 15 minutes.” Yeah, sure, if it’s 3 a.m. on a holiday and you catch all the green lights, maybe! The optimist thinks that the car will start; the parking place will be there, the computer won’t go down, the weather will hold, planes will fly on time. They cut the time so close that if the slightest thing goes wrong--they’re late (again).

3) They’re late because there’s no reward for being on time. “Behavior that is acknowledged will increase in frequency.” This is a basic pearl of behavioral psychology. Fear, pain, boredom and anger are primary motivating factors in human beings. Unless there is a reward for being on time...or a punishment for not being on time...why not be late?

4) They’re late because they’re “drama queens.” Don’t let the title fool you. At least half of all “drama queens” are male. A true drama queen may even be addicted to their own adrenaline.

If you’ve recognized your boss or yourself or your teenager or your spouse. Now what can you do about it? A problem can’t be solved until you make it important enough to solve. Decide that this is an issue that you want to do something about. Once you’ve decided “Yeah, I’ve had enough,” here are five things you can do.

1. Come clean. Tell your late person what effect their lateness is having

on your job performance, your relationship. Use only “I” statements, not “you” statements. “I’m uncomfortable with having to cover for you.” “We’ve got this scheduling system and any lateness puts a strain on the system--there’s no margin for error.”

2. Don’t label someone late or make jokes about their lateness. It makes it part of how they see themselves and they become stuck with it as a behavior pattern even when they don’t want it.

3. If you’re late person is of the optimistic variety, diplomatically direct this person to reality. The optimist requires retraining and you’ll need patience with this person but don’t just do nothing. A reassuring tone of voice and simple statement of fact...repeated frequently...will help the late person rethink their priorities. “Let’s treat ourselves to a little stress reduction,” you say, “and get this out early.”

4. If they’re late because they sincerely love the action and chaos it creates, you’ve got a special problem. They’re action junkies or drama queens. It’s OK for them to be that way but it’s also OK for you to not want to participate. Take yourself out of the Game. “I know it’s exciting to nearly miss an airplane but it’s not fun for me anymore.” “It was exhilarating the first time we had to get that report done overnight but it’s getting boring now.” Bored is the last thing the drama queen wants to hear. They create chaos to avoid boredom. If you express the idea that the chaos is now boring, they are apt to change.

5. Reward behavior you want repeated. I had to work with a chronically late person and I did not have the sophisticated tools listed above but I knew that you train dogs by rewarding good behavior. It works with people too. I had an idea but I didn’t know if I had the nerve to pull it off. I bought a gift and wrapped it in paper and ribbon. I had it with me and when the appointed hour came I told myself that if he arrived on time, I would reward him with the gift. If he did not arrive on time, I would tell him, “I was going to give you this gift if you arrived on time...but, maybe next time,” and then put the gift away. The next appointment, he was on time and I gave him the gift. He was always on time after that. When was the last time you thanked or rewarded someone for being on time?

It proved to me that people can do it. They can be on time. Being on time gets to be a habit.

Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $150.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

Funny Business Friday. Weekend business jokes!

A backscratcher will always find new itches; a brown-noser will always find new sense.

A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.

A bird in the bush usually has a friend in there with him.

A bird in the hand is always safer than one overhead.

A bird in the hand is dead.

A bird in the hand makes it hard to blow your nose.

A boss with no humor is like a job that is no fun.

A clean tie attracts the soup of the day.

A closed mouth gathers no foot.

A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours. - Milton Berle

A committee is twelve men doing the work of one.

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually. - Abba Eban

A conservative is a man who believes that nothing should be done for the first time.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who has never learned to walk. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

A consultant is an ordinary person a long way from home.

A coup that is known in advance is a coup that does not take place.

A couple of months in the lab can often save a couple of hours in the library.

A crisis is when you cannot say "let's just forget the whole thing."


Carriage Town Media Social Media Management. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

We will not spam mail! Don’t even ask!

Sure, sometimes we at Carriage Town Media will send a select group of small business entrepreneurs or non profit organization leaders an email telling them about us, but we will not spam mail, don’t even ask us to!
We too use Facebook in our personal lives just like you do and maybe like you we get bunch’es of spam emails in our Facebook message center. Sometimes it’s stuff that we want to see but mostly it’s the same message sent over and over and over again. Hate IT!
The customers we work with know we will not send stuff that might annoy their customers. We believe that Facebook friends stay friends when they have the choice in what they look at and receive.

So, if you’re getting spam mail in your Facebook box, it isn’t from us!

Yours, Stephen James

To learn more about what CTMedia can do for your small business or non-profit organization see our website http://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/

Or email us at ctmediaflint@gmail.com


Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $50.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

Announcing a new Micro Business, here in Flint,

Announcing a new Micro Business, here in Flint, that not only helps the homeless but also the Social Media Marketing needs of your Small Business or Organization! Stephen James


Over the last winter as I was volunteering at Carriage Town Ministries’ Homeless shelter working with the men there on their employment and interviewing skills, I came to this conclusion; some of these fellows are in the same position we might be in if we were to be laid-off or unable to work due to an injury. These men have skills! But due to circumstances sometimes beyond their control, they have found themselves homeless and hopeless.

I also came to another conclusion: Many of these guys can’t get a “Normal” job because of their physical disabilities, not having a home address or because no one is willing to give them a second chance.

So, we started a new micro-business that meets their needs and also the needs of your Small Business or Organization: “Carriage Town Media Flint”, Social Media Marketing Management.

Do you want to know the best reason to use CTMediaFlint as your Social Media Manager; Customer retention! There are two things all your customers have in common. They’ve been to your place and they are on Facebook. Every time they see a soft unobtrusive posting with your business or organization’s name on it, they remember the experience and in the back of their minds they’re thinking “I need to go back there.”

For only $50.00 per month CTMedia Flint will update posting 3 x a day 365 days a year to your Facebook page or fan site. This is perfect for Restaurants, Pubs and Clubs that have a set monthly menu or have preplanned their monthly events.
Basic Facebook Package: $50.00/Month, with one year commitment.

OR

You can step-it-up with our Standard Package: Same as the Basic Facebook Package management but we create and use Post Helpers; short, one to two sentence postings that are interesting and informative about your business or organization. Post Helpers gets your readers’ actively involved. Great not only for restaurants and clubs, but it’s the best way for Bloggers, Retailers, Service Businesses, Bands, Churches and non-profit organizations to get their message out.
Standard Facebook Package: $75.00/Month, with one year commitment.
OR

Full “Facebook” Maintenance Campaign:

1) Three, daily relatable postings with Post Helpers, on your Facebook site.

2) One additional relatable, informative “Outside Link” posted twice weekly to your site.

3) Creation of 100-300 Friends/Fans per month to your Facebook page.

4) Two weekly relatable “site” postings from your page onto other Facebook pages with 1,000 or more friends/fans.

5) Site email: We will also, set up and monitor a separate e-mail just for your Online Social Media activities so that you will not be receiving spam e-mails within your inbox.
Full “Facebook” Maintenance Campaign: $150./Month, with one year commitment.
If you would like to learn more about what Carriage Town Media Flint can do for your small business or organizations, see our website at http://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/
Or
email us at ctmediaflint@gmail.com
And a customer representative will contact you.

Remember: “We’re all in this together!”

Stephen James

Carriage Town Media was started as a micro-business for the disabled and homeless. All our post schedulers are either on social security for their disability or are awaiting confirmation of benefits, and each is homeless. Some stay at local homeless shelters, others in resident homes. Each, at one time in their life, was hard working, tax paying citizens of our community. Each carries their own story of how they became disabled, some by workplace injury, others by disease, and some as innocent bystanders of street violence. Their workman’s comp and medical benefits have run out long ago. But the disability stayed. Unable to find or maintain jobs that they are physically capable of, these people have lost their homes, families and hope.

Carriage Town Media isn’t passing on this information to receive your sympathy or charity. We are a for-profit company. We did so, so you would better understand how hard we will be working for you. We have something to prove!



Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $50.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com

So, there's this guy, Gerard Burnash….

So, there's this guy, Gerard Burnash….

First impression: Nice guy, friendly, smiles a lot.

Second impression: You sit down in a meeting with him and a group of other people. (One of the countless meetings he attends in Downtown, Flint) He’s a nice guy, friendly and smiles a lot and he’s not afraid to crack a joke (he does this well) or to make an insightful comment or two during the meeting.

Third impression: (Two weeks later) You’ve joined him again, at the same meeting with the same people discussing the same subject: This time as the Chairman starts his dissertation on what needs to be done and how we all need to get together to get it done, Gerard pipes in, “It’s already done.”

That’s the kind of guy Gerard is. The kind that listens to a problem, listens to suggestions, gets his head wrapped around the solution, and then, gets it done.

By the way, did I tell you he’s the new Director of the Downtown Development Authority, in Flint?

Sure, you might not agree with everything Gerard says or does, but you’ve got to be impressed with his impression of a “Get-R-Done!” kind of guy.

The Downtown Development Authority will seek to provide a critical link between the economic development and physical development objectives of downtown by facilitating collaboration and partnership building throughout the Greater Flint Community.

412 S Saginaw St # 206 Flint, MI 48502-1809 - (810) 767-2297

Carriage Town Media Social Media Management Starting @ $50.00 per Month. We don't control your site, we just improve it! We can post on all your social media sites! Let us post the information that your customers/friends need to know! Timely and Correctly! This months special: We can TOTALLY run your sites! $150.00 per month! LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE! . https://sites.google.com/site/carragetownmedia/ Email: ctmediaflint@gmail.com