Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Leading the Lost

Are you an expert?

Webster defines an expert as:

One with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject

Have you worked in the same area for a while? Have you studied a particular subject in depth? Could you share some of your insight with others?

Most of us are an expert in something whether or not we realize it. If you're a stay-at-home mom you may be an expert of hushing a tired toddler. If you're well organized you may have the keys to keeping a closet uncluttered. You don't need to have an advanced degree to be an expert. You simply have to have enough of a passion to become good at something.

More and more I've been called on to lend my HR / Recruiting expertise to associates and new friends. I'm happy to do it.

I know that by no means do I have all the wisdom to impart on others. But I'm willing. I love to share. I love to help. I think sometimes it's tough to ask for assistance and I'm honored when others approach me.

Often I'm asked to meet for coffee or a chat and I meet every single time not suspecting anything in return aside from someone feeling like I listened and cared.

How about you? Are you sharing your expertise? Are you imparting the knowledge that you have with others that could use it? If you do share your knowledge, are you doing it to help someone else or to just to show off?

Learn how to give for giving sake. Ask for nothing in return. Share. Choose to make a difference in someone else's life today.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Sure, I Can Help

So many folks that I speak with seem to be amazed at how and why I connect in the social networking world of places like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Plurk. Often times they get the fact that one of the hats I wear is that of a recruiter and I simply don't know where my next great hire may be lurking. They understand I want to be ready and have figured out that networking is a means to an end.

This week, however, I think I have had a chance to really make one of my connections become real in a different sense.

Through my connections I’ve made on Twitter and face-to-face connections I met at SXSW interactive earlier this year, I received a desperate call earlier this week from Jane Quiqley, one of our past Friday Morning Live speakers at Bulldog Solutions, asking if I could go and help “run” an event here in Austin that’s being broadcast to another convention in San Francisco tomorrow.

Two conferences: http://www.netrootsnation.org/ and http://www.blogher.com/blogher_conference/conf

and one of my coworkers and I will be there to make sure they connect via http://www.oovoo.com/.

This is the panel in particular: http://www.netrootsnation.org/node/867

And today’s New York Times article on the event: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/us/politics/16web-seelye.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

I think it’s pretty nifty that some of my online connections feel good enough about me that they trust me and our team to help them when they're in a pinch. Good stuff.

Friday, July 4, 2008



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Celebrating the Red, White and Blue


This is the second year in our home and we decided to show off a little bit more American spirit.
I came home yesterday and Charles had hung the bunting just like I had asked him too. Today I posted the flags along the driveway and front yard.



My dad is the one who got me started on the flag posting. See, this is their house.

I haven't taken it quite as far as he does though. He makes sure his neighbors get in the 4th of July spirit by distributing flags and placing them in their yards too.

Happy 4th of July all!