Posted by Michelle on July 20, 2015
We’re all looking at ways to save money and time. Shopping online is sometimes a more cost effective option based on price alone. Once you start adding in the cost of getting to the store, your time looking around, going to other stores to compare, talking to sales assistants and so forth, then buying online, even if the price isn’t cheaper, starts to look very attractive. Online shopping is particularly useful too for items you want to get from overseas that may not be available in Australia.
But are we really getting the best deal? Zurich recently published an article listing five ways to save when shopping online:
- Find the best day for the product type you’re buying (a bit like buying petrol on Tuesdays)
- Search for online discount coupons
- Use a VPN or switch to private browsing so your location doesn’t affect the price you are quoted
- Leave things in the shopping cart for a while to see if a special offer comes through to “tempt” you to finalise your purchase
- Use third party postal services for items from countries that won’t ship directly to Australia.
If you don’t already shop online maybe you can start using some of these tips. You can read the full article here. Happy shopping and saving!
Posted by Michelle on July 9, 2015
If you are running a PC or laptop with Windows 7 or 8 operating system you may have noticed a new icon with the four windows boxes. Clicking on this icon leads you to information on how to reserve your “free*” upgrade to Windows 10 once it is available (currently listed as sometime after 29 July).
I am naturally a little skeptical about anything that claims to be free especially when there is an asterisk after the word “free” and you have to read the fine print for the conditions! However this does appear to be a genuine free upgrade for those who already have Windows 7 or 8. The question then is, whether to download automatically or wait until later to get your upgrade, or indeed, whether you need to upgrade at all (even though it’s free).
Naturally, Microsoft encourages you to take the upgrade because they’ve spent a lot of time and effort developing it and enhancing it with all sorts of new functionality, but it will still have bugs no matter how rigorous their testing. If you take up the free upgrade option, it will apparently download to your computer as soon as it is available, and you will then be able to choose when to install it.
Windows 10 looks like it will be fairly different from what you may have been used to in the earlier versions and my advice is to take your time and not to upgrade until you are ready and have some time to spend learning how it works. No-one needs to arrive at their computer and find a whole new operating system to come to grips with before even starting work! I expect Microsoft will be offering the free upgrade for some considerable time to come – it is in their interests after all – so there’s no need to rush in.
Posted by Michelle on June 19, 2015
We are all under pressure from time constraints and reality often dictates that speed of response is more important than getting it right. Just getting it done has become the focus. Increasingly though, we seem to be using time management and our reliance on mobile devices as an excuse for poor spelling and/or grammar.
Many mobile devices have an automatic line at the bottom of emails saying “sent from my xxx device”. You can remove this or you can modify it, as in a recent example I received which had added “…please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors”.
If you look carefully enough (and I have a friend who does), you can find errors in even the most expensive and highly maintained websites, and you can certainly find them in the news and TV media (where people like editors are paid to check). I’m the first to admit my spelling and grammar are not perfect, but I do try hard to make sure I check things or have someone else check them, particularly in a business context. It probably doesn’t matter if your texts or emails to your family or friends are not correctly spelled or use poor grammar, but if it’s a response to someone you have (or want to have) a professional relationship with, then maybe it’s not acceptable.
So where is the line? Many people in business still look unfavourably on bad spelling or grammar. If you’ve taken the time to respond on your mobile device (when by definition you are probably “out and about”) then perhaps you should also take the time to make sure it is right. If it’s not critical to respond immediately, why not leave it until you have the time to properly compose and check your reply.
Posted by Michelle on June 12, 2015
I first posted this “pledge to business etiquette” a couple of years ago, but it is still very relevant! It’s a nice way to think about the way you act in business situations. Thanks to the SmartCompany website and author Emily Ross.
- I will not be late for meetings.
- If being late is unavoidable, I will make a short, genuine apology and get on with it. I will not make long-winded excuses.
- I will use my phone, tablet or other devices in a considerate manner.
- I will not tweet and talk simultaneously.
- I am capable of turning off electronic devices or at least switching them to silent mode.
- I will respond to emails in a timely, courteous way.
- I will resist the urge to use emoticons.
- I will RSVP.
- I will introduce people in social situations.
- I will pay attention to a person’s name when I am being introduced and make an effort to memorise it.
- I will not guess how many months pregnant women are.
- I will not make assumptions about someone’s sexuality or ethnicity.
- I will not act in an overly familiar way with new acquaintances, new clients and potential new investors – and will avoid discussing sex, politics, religion.
- I am capable of listening to a presentation/keynote address without looking at my iPhone, iPad, smart phone, tablet or Blackberry.
- I will eat, sneeze, entertain clients and behave in a culturally sensitive and professional manner at all times.
Some of these are more important than others, but all in all, they are a solid foundation for behaving appropriately.
Posted by Michelle on June 8, 2015
“Life is a continue learning process. Each day presents an opportunity for learning.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita
Do you have a formal learning plan? For example, if you are a CPA (Accountant) you must clock up 40 hours learning a year, every year to keep your accreditation. While you may not have a formal learning plan, many of us do things each day like listen to a podcast, watch something on YouTube or search the internet for a snippet of information – this all is learning. So why not make learning a habit and subscribe to some of the fantastic Podcasts that are available.
How do you get to a podcast?
If you have an Apple device accessing podcasts is easy. You just need to find the Podcast app, install it, and then search for interesting podcasts to listen to.
Here are some useful links to help you access podcasts on your device:
http://www.abc.net.au/technology/techexplained/articles/2011/04/11/3158206.htm
http://www.androidcentral.com/top-5-best-podcast-apps-android#slide3
https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201859
http://serialpodcast.org/how-to-listen
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