If It’s Not Hands-On Training, It’s Not a Workshop

I was about to register for an event the other day because it was described as a workshop. Before I clicked PAY, I sent the coordinator an email for clarification. “Is this a workshop with hands-on activities or a seminar with a talking head in lecture format?” Turns out, it was a seminar.
I’m seeing this [...]

Stop Complaining About Email and Learn to Love It

Email gets a bum rap. People complain about it all the time. It’s not email that’s the problem, but rather bad email habits and management. Think about all the good it does and the time it saves.

I cannot imagine managing my time or my life without the wonders of email. How do you feel about [...]

Do Sporting Events Cause a Dip in Productivity in the Workplace?

Sporting News reported that heavy sports enthusiasts spend on average over 31 hours a week following sports. Amazing.
If you’re getting caught up in the activities of all the sporting events that are going on, remember that the work still has to get done. If you know you’re going to work less until it’s over, [...]

Dialing an Extension to a Phone Number on Your PDA

To add an extension to a phone number and have it work when synched to your PDA, you might have to try several methods to find out what works. Try in the following order and test it. I’m using Outlook 2007.
In Outlook inside one of your contacts that has an extension (or do this directly [...]

My New Book Is Here! Learn Outlook 2007

Hey Everybody, Conquer Email Overload with Outlook 2007 is here! Check out my video and click here for training. Don’t just upgrade – learn how to use it too!

PEACE.

Video Email is a Lot Easier and More Affordable Than You Might Think

Video email is hot and I’ve joined in. The video below is my first one. I’m promoting a free seminar I’m giving that’s hosted by DeKalb County’s Contract Compliance Office (Georgia, Metro Atlanta). It’s a lunch ‘n learn and details and registration are at MayBrownBag.eventbrite.com. The topic is Shameless Self Promotion: Do-It-Yourself Search Engine Optimization [...]

Use Software You Already Have Instead of Buying More

I wanted to create a postcard-size announcement about my new book, Conquer Email Overload with Better Habits, Etiquette, and Outlook 2007. As usual, PowerPoint was the answer. I first resized the PowerPoint slide, changed the background, and added my art elements and text. Then with one of my favorite applications, Image Exporter, I was able [...]

I’m Speaking – Celebrate Administrative Professionals Day with Technology Training

Technology Skills for the 21st Century

Celebrating
Administrative Professionals Day
Mini Conference

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
9:00AM – 2:00PM
Includes Lunch
If you’re handling the work of two or more people, work smarter.
For a great day of training that’s also fun,
Register Today! Space is Limited.
The Digital BreakThroughs Institute
1691 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 380
Atlanta (College Park) [...]

Three Ways to Find Out When You’re Mentioned on the Web

Apparently, someone has uploaded an older edition of my Shameless Self-Promotion ebook to the Internet. I sell the book on my Website, so I am quite ticked that someone has decided to give it away. Most people who purchase ebooks, I believe, abide by the copyright and keep the documentation for their use only.
But then, [...]

Use Copy2Contact to Turn Text on a Page to an Outlook Contact

One of the tips I demo in my Outlook class is how I turn text on a Web page, inside an email message, or a document into a contact with all the information popping into the right place. If I can select the text, I can grab it.
The first time I selected text on a [...]

Email Marketing Solutions to Promote Your Business or Cause

When I started my first business way back in 1997, email as we know and use today was in its infancy in the small business community. I started collecting as many addresses as possible as a way to promote my business by promoting my tips and tricks. Back then, I used Outlook and cleaned up [...]

Give Webinars to Train Anyone Anywhere-for FREE

A couple of nights ago, I had to switch to Plan B and conduct a Webinar using Slideshare.net. Fortunately, I wasn’t demonstrating computer tips and tricks, and all I needed to be able to do was show my slides. It worked great.
I uploaded my PowerPoint presentation, made them private, and sent an email to my [...]

Get Your Laptop Back from Thieves with LoJack

A colleague had the misfortune of a home break-in. The thieves made off with three of his prized possessions: a new, old, and somebody else’s laptop. That hurt.
I take extra precautions to protect my laptop because I run my entire business on it. I take care in backing up all my important data online, it’s [...]

I Installed a Wireless Router by Cisco in My Home Office – Did It Myself

I just switched to Comcast for high-speed Internet. I want all of my computers to have wireless access so instead of leasing a wireless router from Comcast, I stopped by Best Buy and picked up the Linksys® N Ultra Range Plus by Cisco. It’s a slick-looking unit that resembles something from outer space. I was [...]

Resize a Bunch of Photos by the Batch

I’ve discovered that just about anything I dread doing, there is some type of technology that will do it for me. Doing something with the photos on my digital camera was one of those projects I needed to simplify.
I found some inexpensive software ($10.00) that makes resizing photos quick and easy. It’s called Digital Photo [...]

President Obama Could Limit His BlackBerry Use Now That He’s Survived Without It

President Obama had a mountain of issues to deal with in his first 100 days, and not having his BlackBerry helped him stay focused. I’m hoping that he doesn’t get sucked back in to his BlackBerry addiction.
It’s old news that President Barack Obama was addicted to his BlackBerry. Now that he’s had to live without [...]

7 Must-Have Gadgets I Use to Make Work Easier

I was recently interviewed by a national magazine and the reporter asked me about some of the must-have equipment I use to run my solo enterprise. Here is what I listed.
Feature-rich telephone. You might think that finding the perfect desk phone is easy, but it wasn’t for me. I finally found everything I needed in [...]

Change a PDF to a Graphic (jpeg, TIF, etc.)

I received a PDF and needed to change it to a graphic. This way, I’d have more flexibility when I needed to insert it in various documents. I’m using an older version of Adobe Acrobat (7.0) and although I saw the  option to File, Save As, jpeg, it didn’t work for me.
Here is what I [...]

How Do You Remember Due Dates, Commitments, and Promises?

Use your brain for thinking; not for remembering
- Peggy Duncan
As you go through the day acknowledging due dates or making commitments and promises, always ask yourself: “How am I going to remember this?” Then put some type of external cues in place that will trigger the action.

You probably already use a to do list, tickler [...]

Changes I Made to My BlackBerry to Make It Easier to Use

When I buy new gadgets and gizmos, I read the how-to booklets and also look for more tips on the Web. I purchased the BlackBerry 8820 over a year ago, and in addition to setting up my laptop to use it as a modem (tether), here are some other things I learned and changes I’ve [...]

Tether Your BlackBerry to Your Laptop and Use as a Modem

[Post updated 12/12/2009] In an older post, “Can’t Justify an AirCard So I Use NetZero When Traveling, I discussed how I use NetZero to access the Internet when I travel within the U.S. After I thought through how I work, it didn’t make sense to spend the money for an aircard and the monthly service [...]

Can’t Justify an Aircard So I Use NetZero When Traveling

When I switched from Earthlink to AT&T for Internet access for my home office, I could no longer connect when I was outside my calling area using a local access number. (I’d have to pay to connect to an 800 number and pay by the minute). I considered an aircard, but when I thought through [...]

How to Cure His BlackBerry Addiction and Why He Needs To. Help for President-Elect Barack Obama

I’ve read several stories that report how President-Elect Barack Obama, like so many other people, is addicted to his BlackBerry. I’m sure he feels torn right now at the thought of having to give it up once he enters the White House. But I think he’s going to feel so much better once he gets [...]

Don’t Let Spam Slow You Down

I’m still getting too many nods “Yes” when I ask seminar attendees if they’re still getting a lot of spam. If you are too, take these steps to end it.
Use a good provider. If you’re using Joe’s Internet Service with servers in his basement, he’s probably not using the best technologies to block spam on [...]

A Green Office: How I Ran My Business Without a Printer for a Year

A sheet of labels got stuck in my HP All-in-One LaserJet printer and I tried pulling it out. I got it, but I destroyed the sensor that lets the printer know I have a cartridge. After finding out it was almost as cheap to buy a new printer as to fix the old one, I [...]