Entries by Brenda Levos (193)

Monday
Jun302008

Uppercase scarf

uppercasescarf.jpgPut this on the "I gotta get me one of these!" list. While not entirely functional, the cool factor on these is through the roof. Created by little factory this scarf is laser cut utilizing the letters of the alphabet to create the pattern, giving it a interesting and textured appearance. Almost random feel from afar, but quite interesting as you get close enough to recognize what the design is.

For those of us who love to see letters as art, this is a must have. Check it out at:  http://littlefactory.com/scarf/uppercase/

For those who might not appreciate the random letters, what can this inspire? Perhaps it is your latest tagline, cut into the scarf, which can double as a impromptu banner. How about your next sporting event giveaway? Scarves with your team name, motto, etc laser cut out of them? 1,000 fans holding up your sports team banner could be a really cool effect in a stadium and it would likely be taken home and pinned up on walls, bulletin boards and in offices for years to come. Can you say that for the little foam fingers?

Saturday
Jun282008

Creating Synergy!

Picture%2024.pngI recently attended the Bigger Small Talk Conference here in Fargo and day two of the festivities was all about finding your genius. I had longed to find my genius, hoping it was in there somewhere, and fearing that I was, perhaps, geniusless. Oh the horror of being sans genius for the rest of my life. Enter Dick Richards, author of "Is Your Genius at Work: 4 Key Questions to Ask Before Your Next Career Move."

So, as we begin the journey in our search for the holy genius grail, individuals were standing to declare that they had discovered their genius. Consisting of a Gerund (ing word) and a noun, people were slowly standing, trying on different genius' and seeing how they felt. Well, after a resumé which reads a little schizophrenic, and having ventured down different tangents and which ever path I was invited to travel, feeling a bit like Dorothy in the wizard of Oz, I was really hoping to find something that fit.  I felt like I have the tools that I need and enjoyed the characters and experiences the yellow brick road had provided, I just need to find my way home to my genius.

So as about a safe third of the attendees had finished standing and declaring their genius, some more confidently than others, I chose to stand and share what I had discovered. I stood and declared that my genius was in "engineering experiences" to which Dick responded, "nope, that isn't it" and as I described what it is that I enjoy doing, what I do without even being asked or paid, words that I don't know that I had ever uttered, crossed my lips and resonated more strongly in me than anything in a long time. "Creating Synergy," he declared to be my genius! Yep, that feels good, really good. So I scribble it on my name badge and try it on for size. Removing the "engineering experiences" which fit, but felt a bit like the 80's shoulder pads I SO loved. At the time, seemed like a good idea, but in reality, a bit big and cumbersome, and a bit out of proportion. Now with my genius was written in ruby red Sharpie, there was no place like my genius "home."

 So, why Creating Synergy? I think it stems from the middle child "can't we all just get along" syndrome. I always seem to find my way into the middle of people and situations, trying to make everyone feel a part of the team, feeling good about themselves and their work, and collaborating to create something bigger together than could evolve in their individual realms. Case and point, my dream for this site was a place where others come come and contribute and learn, more than just me, but a group of friends. I am energized by the process of brainstorming, and finding new ways to look at old problems, and coming up with new solutions. Finding new ways to infuse technology to ease old struggles. And creating visual synergy as well, matching the style and collateral of a company to its culture, making sure that interior and exterior are one.

So, in the spirit of Creating Synergy, I have decided to add another category to my blog in which I share tips and techniques I have found over my years of being an employee and a manager to help prevent burnout, which I have seen and lived too many times. You will find those tips on the home page and then also archived in the left navigation as well.

Please join me on my new yellow brick road and if you have a tip you would like to share, I would love to hear and share it. You will find a number of things out there, but what I hope to share, are the fun and creative and inventive that those even on a tight budget can employ. Here's hoping you find that yellow brick road to your very own genius and know that "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!"

Friday
Jun272008

About Creating Synergy - criteria

This section is devoted to the little things you can do as a manager, employee, friend to build synergy in an office environment. Lift someone's spirits, or just say thanks for a job well done. Often times we think that employee benefits need to be some astronomically priced conference, or equipment, or the mighty dollar (or multiples of them) and while there is nothing wrong with any of these, I believe it is the day-to-day things that you do, that build teams, and create synergy in an office.

So as I explore what some of these things look like, not all may resonate with you, but pick one up, try it out, if it doesn't work, try something else. Different employees are going to appreciate different things, so I will try to post a sampling of the things here and if you have others that work, I would love to hear them as well. My criteria for what I am posting: things that you can do for $3-5 per employee, some even less. Consistency is the key, small things you can do on a regular basis, maybe once per week, or every other week. So, enjoy this section and if you get positive feedback from your staff, I would love to hear it.