Listen to Traci

Here’s the thing – I’m the  worst  customer.  I want to stroll through a store and look around without anyone invading my personal space or interrupting my train of thought.  I’m particular and I have an active imagination and I can make up in my head the ideal product and I know perfectly well that it doesn’t exist so please just leave me alone to wander through the pretty things and then leave purchase-less and disappointed.  Also I have three children, which means I have zero discretionary funds to spend on myself.  Furthermore, because of those offpspring, I have to be excruciatingly aware that whatever amount I spend on Kid One must also be spent on Kid Two and Kid Three, and therefore I am compelled to be quite careful about what I spend on Kid One because I need to be able to triple it. So please don’t try to sell me anything.  It’s 99% certain that I will say no, even if that disappoints both you and me.  As for that other 1%, maybe w...

The open office: love it or hate it, you probably don’t get to choose the layout of your workspace.  You can decide, though, to make the most of it.  Here are a few tips for getting along and maximizing productivity in a big, busy, loud space. Noise canceling headphones are invaluable in a shared workspace.  On a phone call, keep your attention where it belongs.  Use Plantronics’ Voyager Focus for maximum passive and active noise cancelling, both so you can concentrate on what’s being said and so that background noise doesn’t annoy your caller.  When you’re not on a call, use the Focus to listen to music, block out the surrounding noise and allow you to, well, focus.  Inevitably, headphone fatigue will set in, no matter what device you use.  Consider that fatigue a reminder to take a walk, stretch your legs, and refresh your mind. All offices should have available spaces where employees can shut the door and get a little quiet or have a priva...

When was the last time you went to a library?  Growing up, going to the library was a treat – choosing an armload of big, beautiful picture books that could come home with me, to be read over and over again to my heart’s content.  And then go back and do it again the next week.  The library was a peaceful, safe adventure.  My mother let me wander the stacks by myself and make my own choices, even though she was frustrated with how long it took me to graduate from pictures books to chapter books.  When my own children were small, we spent a lot of time at the library, and I let them pick books on their own, just like my mother let me.  While on a recent rant (ranting being one of my favorite pastimes) about How Kids Today Don’t Read, it hit me just how grateful I am for libraries. To start at the most basic – reading is just plain good for you.  Not only does it give you access to information that you may not have already had (learning!), it ...

In honor of the impending arrival of mother’s day, I’d like to talk about parenting lessons I’ve learned that help me do my job: Pay attention – a mom of a toddler knows better than anyone how ominous silence is.  A sales manager knows the same thing.  Engage, engage, engage. Be sincere and specific with praise – “That’s a pretty painting,” is nowhere near as ego-boosting as, “I love the way your trees look like they’re reaching for the sun.”  Likewise, “Great job” won’t go as far in encouraging future success as, “The way you got the team engaged and cooperating really made an impact.” And remember to look for things to praise.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is when you try. Use criticism constructively – “You suck” rarely inspires anyone to improve.  No matter who you’re talking to, try this three step process for constructive criticism: Be specific Reinforce successful behavior Offer a suggestion for correction ...

com·mu·ni·ca·tion ( kə ˌ myo ͞ on ə ˈ k ā SH( ə )n/) noun - the imparting or exchanging of information or news Sounds simple, right?  And at its heart, sure, the concept of communication is simple.  You let me know something, I respond, repeat as necessary, and the expected result is that an idea has been shared to the satisfaction of both parties. But we’ve all had a misunderstanding or even an argument that illustrates darned well the complexity of communication.  Ever struggled to figure out why a fussy baby is crying? While you read this, do you know which words I’m emphasizing, if I’m trying to be funny, what I might be exaggerating, or when I’m completely sincere?    The words we say are just a small part of what we communicate.  Intent, mannerisms, and personal experience all influence purpose and perception.  We can communicate without saying a word (let me add that I am mightily jealous of anyone who can raise one eyebrow at a ...