There's a lot of buzz around Twitter these days......and I've received a fair number questions while at speaking engagements and via follow-up emails about the basics of using Twitter. As a result, I've pulled together this list of things I wish I would have known sooner rather than later.

Note: these are Twitter 101 insights....there are a lot of ways you could use Twitter to build your brand, communicate with employees, clients and prospective clients....this list provides some initial "welcome to twitter" information.

(1) Twitter.com is FREE (...there is talk that there will be a charge down the road....time will tell..for now FREE)

(2) My base-line definition of twitter: "Micro-Blog that allows people to share their humor, insights and wisdom in 140 characters or less" @noraburns

(3) There are hundreds if not thousands of applications to help you manage twitter. Some of my favorites: TweetDeck.com and TweetLater.com ......and on my iPhone I currently use Tweetsville and TwitterFon.

(4) When identifying another person on Twitter in a message use the @ symbol before their twitter name --- i.e. "Chatting with @NoraBurns about building a Leadership Development Program" or "Meeting with @NoraBurns at the XYZ Convention"

....this allows other Twitter-ers to simply click on the "@noraburns" portion of the message to see my profile --- it also would also allow me to easily see that you are tweeting about me---- as well as demonstrating that you take Twitter into real life with REAL relationships (please use caution if you choose to identify specifically where you are)

(5) A Re-Tweet is identified by "RT" at the beginning of a message --- this is when you are so inspired by what someone else said or it's information that you feel ought to be shared that you want YOUR followers to know about it as well.

(6) If you want others to RT your messages -- keep them UNDER 100 characters as the "RT @noraburns" counts toward the 140 characters --- and Retweeters often want to add a bit of commentary to the end of your message as well.

(7) To send a message directly to one user that no one else will see.....use "D @noraburns". This is essentially a private chat. NOTE: You cannot send a Direct Message to anyone who is NOT following you......and that also means if you aren't following people they cannot Direct Message you!

(8) Anyone can follow you. It's not like Facebook or LinkedIn where others have to request to be connected to you.

(9) You CAN Block people. If someone truly is obnoxious and you don't want him/her on your "Followers" list you could block them. I use this pretty much only for people who have nude or semi-nude photos up or truly inappropriate messaging.

(10) You'll learn a lot as you start using it -- I like Ford Saeks' (@Prime_Concepts) suggestion which he applies to any social media site -- set up a dummy account to practice and get the hang of it --- then set up your brand-specific account.

(11) Sign up today and secure YOUR brand identity! Unfortunately @Insightful was already taken when I joined the land of twitter and @InsightfulEndeavors is too long (twitter names are 15 characters or less).

There you go -- some basic Twitter info from an avid user (some might say addict). I've been "Twittering since 2008" and have found it to be a fabulous tool for building relationships as well as brand recognition.

Now go -- set up your account ......and don't forget to follow @noraburns! (and for HR Pros who are or looking to obtain/retain PHR/SPHR certification....@phrsphr)


May all your Endeavors (and Tweets) be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR



Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. With over twenty years Human Resource and Organizational Development experience, Nora has provided insights to entrepreneurial firms, mid-size organizations and Fortune 50 companies on team and leadership development.

Insightful Endeavors International, Inc specializes in Team and Leadership Development. We are based in Denver, CO and work internationally.

Insightful Job Seeker Quick Tip: Voice Mail/Answering Machines

Insightful Job Seeker Quick Tip: Voice Mail/Answering Machines

• Update the greeting on your voice mail/answering machine.
  • As cute as your daughter’s voice on the machine sounds and as funny as your son gargling the “hello” message may be, it’s not the appropriate message for potential employers to reach.

• Record a professional message that includes at least your last name if not your full name --- this way the caller is assured they have reached the correct number and can leave a more detailed message.

• Check your messages regularly and respond to recruiters within within 24 hours.

• If the line prospective employers are calling is shared with other family members set up a system for handling messages about job opportunities so you don't miss out!

• You’d think this one would go without saying .......but I’ve had it happen..... do NOT answer the phone if you’ve been drinking alcohol....it may be the recruiting you’ve been hoping would call!

May all your Endeavors be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR

Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. Over her twenty year career in human resources and organizational development she has interviewed and hired thousands of individuals across a variety of industries.

Insightful Endeavors International, Inc specializes in Leadership Development and Team Development --- building sustainable, innovative teams to drive bottom-line results. We are based in Denver, CO and work internationally.

Insightful Job Seeker Quick Tip: Email Addresses

Today’s Job Seeker Tip: E-mail addresses

Over the course of my career I have been absolutely SHOCKED by the email addresses people use during their job search.

It is NOT appropriate to have an email address such as.......

sxykitten
sexychic
video_game_aholic
hotguy74

.....listed on your resume/application.

Not the way to make a great first impression.

Yahoo, hotmail and gmail accounts FREE and take less than fifteen minutes to set up. Set one up using your name or name and profession..........

LisaSmith@
EngineerBob@
Mary.Smith@

You want the person screening resumes/applications to say “Hey! Look at this one” because of the content -- not because they are laughing and wondering WHAT you were thinking!

May all your Endeavors be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR



Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. Over her twenty year career in human resources and organizational development she has interviewed and hired thousands of individuals across a variety of industries.

FISH!® Principles in Everyday Life!

Imagine you are sitting on a plane..... you have the aisle seat and the person sitting in the window seat has taken his place. The plane is filling with travelers ..... the flight attendant’s voice fills the aircraft announcing the flight will be full. As passengers load you continue to check for eye contact with those approaching your aisle........which one will request to get past you to that middle seat...... The flow of passengers is slowing...... The attendant is looking down the jet-bridge.......

The man sitting in the window seat looks over.....having read your mind he knows you’re hoping for the extra space afforded travelers with an empty seat next to them.....he says “won’t happen.....I am the unluckiest guy on the planet”. You pause....then reply “well, I lead a particularly charmed life so I’d say together we’re still luckier than not....there is hope!”

He is not to be convinced.

Then, that fabulous sound........you hear the door latch. YES! You smile. He shrugs and comments that he’ll need to buy a lotto ticket when we land.

Fast forward fifteen minutes. We’re still on the tarmac.....the pilot’s voice fills the aircraft announcing we are in line for de-icing and it will be another five to ten minutes.

“See?!?” says the man by the window ..... “Told you I’m unlucky.”

“How so?”

The man looks dumbfounded “We’re just sitting here!”

“But we’re lucky they are de-icing the plane”

He looks more dumfounded than before.

“Well, if the crew skipped de-icing just to get out on time we’d likely crash.....we’re lucky to have a trained crew who puts out safety first!”

He smiles ....... he laughs.....and he has an “ah-ha” moment. Life truly IS what we make it. “I’ve never thought of it that way before --- I’m going to start putting things into that perspective”. Another smile. And in the moment he was Choosing His Attitude....one of the key principles of FISH!

What attitude have YOU chosen today?



May all your Endeavors be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR


Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and Head Marlin of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. She is a road-warrior, working with companies and associations across the globe to build sustainable, innovative teams that drive bottom-line results. When not traveling to work with clients on building sustainable, innovative teams, Nora lives in Denver, CO.

My Name Is Nora.....and I'm a Twitter Addict

It's official.  While I am late on the scene, having joined the Twitter craze less than 48 hours ago, I am already hooked.  

No, I'm not addicted to knowing who is going to the grocery store, the coffee shop and the bathroom (Seriously people --- note item #4 below).  I'm addicted to the knowledge sharing.  

A curious person by nature, I'm finding Twitter to be the equivalent of a 7-shot espresso.  This morning, compliments of Twitter-ers (ites, ies?), I learned:

• Emotional Intelligence DOES affect SAT scores!
  
• You can find the blogs of many big companies all in one place.
  
• Blogging moms rule the world (simply search Mom and Motrin to see what I mean!)
  
• Obama will likely have to give up his Blackberry when he takes office! (I can't even fathom doing this)
  

....and so much more. 

People have information -- and they want to share it.  Twitter provides another opportunity for us to do just that --- in REAL TIME. 

Quick tips from one Twitter Rookie to another:

1. Content vs Fluff Solution : It's all about who you choose to follow.  Find interesting people and follow them -- and look at who THEY are following since interesting people tent to follow interesting people. 
2. If you use Mac....set up TwitterDeck to organize your twittering. 
3. iPhone users visit the App Store and find "Twitterrific".
4. Assume your boss, clients, professors, friends, family, etc will find you on Twitter.
   

Follow me on Twitter.......I promise not to tell you when I am on my way to the bathroom...well, except maybe on April Fools Day. 

Wishing you the best in all your endeavors, 

Nora A Burns, SPHR

www.insightfulendeavors.com

Nora A Burns, SPHR is founder of Insightful Endeavors International (IEI), Inc.  A native of Wisconsin with 20 years experiences in Learning & Organizational Development, Nora currently resides in Denver, CO with her insanely cute Labradoodle Bella and Bella's sidekick Baxter.  

IEI specializes in building innovative, sustainable teams to drive bottom-line results.  We pride ourselves on being a top-tier resource for leadership development, team development and assisting organizations in finding innovative solutions.  

Remarkable People

Last month I had the distinct honor of meeting Desmond Tutu. The evening was remarkable in itself and made all that more special by the fact that I shared it with my mom (standing between Demond Tutu and I in the photo).

I wish you could have been there…..we were at the VIP reception after the Archbishop’s talk…..the room was filled with excited chatter, the clinking of glasses and the laugher of friends. Reverend Tutu was mingling with guests. I had spoken with him earlier in the evening before his talk and now I had the absolute delight of introducing him to my mom. Upon completing the introduction I stepped back and drank in the moment. My mom (from rural Wisconsin) was shaking hands and chatting with Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Desmond Tutu from South Africa. A moment which will live forever in my memory ---- as I type this I can almost hear their respective laughs milling together. I wish you could have heard it …….

The paths of remarkable people cross each day --- in this case it was my mom and Desmond Tutu. Both people I admire --- with more differences than similarities --- and both remarkable in their own way.

The world is filled with remarkable people……some, like Desmond Tutu, have Nobel Peace Prizes….many more, like my mom, do not. Are you appreciating the remarkable people in your life?

More on the messages Desmond Tutu shared in future posts. I’m confident I will be sharing stories of the evening in workshops and keynotes for many years to come!

Wishing you the very best with all your endeavors,

Nora A Burns


Nora A. Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, (IEI), Inc. A native of Wisconsin with 20 years experience in Learning & Organizational Development, Nora currently resides in Denver, CO with her insanely cute Labradoodle Bella and Bella's sidekick Baxter.

IEI specializes in building innovative, sustainable teams to drive bottom-line results.



Photo Note: Left to right.... Me - Nora Burns, My Mom - Ruth Burns, Desmond Tutu, My Friend - Penny Paster

Hello, Hola, Dobar den, Ciao, Guten Tag!

For as many differences as there are across cultures and geographic locations, there are some things I have found to be consistent. In each city and town I meet mothers and fathers who love their children and want to provide a better life for them.....regardless of the language or dialect, there is always a word or series of words to say hello, please, thank you, you're welcome and it is nice to meet you.

Consistently, within any population there are those willing to reach out and help a complete stranger --- including those who do not look like, sound like or act anything like they do.

On my most recent international journey (which started in Denver and went through Canada, Germany, Hungary and Serbia to Macedonia), I met people who were willing to reach out their hand to help a stranger. Lifting a suitcase into the overhead bin, offering translation assistance in shops and kiosks, demonstrating how the beds of a sleeper car fold down, sharing their meal, providing directions...the list goes on and on.

For two weeks during this adventure I have had the distinct pleasure of working side-by-side with members of the Habitat Global Village Team (13 from across North America) as we partnered with volunteers from Macedonia to work on a home for a family in Veles, Macedonia. For the most part, the team members were strangers to one another having been introduced a few days or a few minutes before starting to work together.

Together this team dug trenches, cleared brush, loaded/unloaded lumber, cut re bar wire, etc. What a wonderful experience to be able to part of this incredible team and witness their interaction firsthand!

The team represented quite a mix.....

• 22 to 76 years of age
• Men & Women
  
• First international trip to third passport in past fifteen years
  
• MBAs and lawyers to high school graduates
• Canadian, Mexican, American, Macedonian
• No less than 5 distinct religions represented
• Analytical, Social/Relational, Structural and Conceptual thinkers
  

.....and together we laughed, joked and worked in the heat of the Macedonian sun. All for the good of a family we met only a few days ago. And yet more than the family is benefiting --- we have all learned from one another ---- through our differences we built a stronger, more functional and innovative team!

It's amazing how much was accomplished by ~22 strangers working together.

Are the differences on your team drawing you together or forcing you apart?

Learn how to connect with those who have difference approaches to life in my engaging, energetic and insightful workshop "Meetings of the Minds : High Impact Communication Through Emergenetics" --- you'll be glad you did!

For a preview of Emergenetics and my facilitation style click here (or search YouTube for "Insightful Endeavors".

Wishing you the very best with all your endeavors,

Nora A Burns, SPHR
www.insightfulendeavors.com




Nora A. Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, (IEI), Inc. IEI specializes in building innovative, sustainable teams to drive bottom-line results. In addition to working with corporations and associations, IEI offers public workshops across the United States.

Registration for Nora’s upcoming workshops available here.

Finding the Silver Lining....the story of Joan & the woman who gave her the news.....

Early in my career (okay, okay, in the 1980s) I was brought into a Wisconsin-based Insurance Company to assist with a major corporate down/right sizing effort (19% of their workforce). An opportunity to put my text-book knowledge to work - an opportunity not to be passed up.

As a rookie I made a rookie mistake on this consulting gig -- I ate lunch in the company cafeteria. (No, the mistake wasn’t eating the food served in the cafeteria!) By eating in the cafeteria I got to know many of the employees personally--- I met husbands and wives who worked together, saw photos of employee’s children, learned about the child with Down syndrome, etc.

After a few weeks on the job I received the initial list of employees whose jobs would be eliminated. There I saw the names of the couples --- both jobs would be lost in one fell swoop. I saw the name of the delightful woman from accounting who was raising her grandchildren, and then there was the name of the mom of the five year old with Down syndrome. The names of the people on the list had personalities and I was now on an emotional roller-coaster ride as the realization set in that I would be delivering the news to these people that they no longer had jobs.

Intellectually I knew the jobs needed to be eliminated. I had seen the company’s financials and understood if the organization did not make significant cuts all jobs would ultimately be lost.

It was time to come up with a plan --- to find the silver lining.

My boss was gracious enough to hear my pitch ----- and to enthusiastically embrace it. We set aside a room by the “Personnel” area (I did say this was in the 1980’s correct?) for employees to work on their resumes and receive coaching on interviewing. A job fair was arranged and local employers, staffing agencies and government agencies were invited in to assist those who were losing their jobs. Within two months of lay-offs being announced over 80% of impacted employees had job offers from other firms. The silver lining was solidified. It may have been a rookie mistake to eat in the company cafeteria....AND it is what ignited an outsourcing program.

Several months later I was at a local grocery store when I heard my name being called (the really good thing about a name like Nora...when someone yells it in the mall or at a store there is a REALLY good chance they are talking to me).......I turn and see a woman behind the bakery counter frantically motioning for me to join her. “Nora!” she exclaimed “Hi!!!” “it’s me....Joan!”. Ah, I remember Joan -- she had been with the insurance company for over ten years and was working as an underwriter when her job was eliminated. My heart fell --- what was she doing here?

She went on to tell me, very excitedly, that getting laid off was the absolute best thing that had ever happened to her. When she went to work at the insurance company it had not been her intention to stay there more than a year or two....but with each passing year new and different financial obligations kept her at the job. She was content, liked the people she worked with and thought highly of the company as a whole. But her passion --- what she DREAMED of doing since she had been a little girl --- was to be a pastry chef!

She confessed that she would not have left the company on her own --- she was too comfortable and too logical. What was an emotional roller coaster at the time was the best thing that could have happened to her. She was now on her way to achieving her childhood dream and was happier than she could ever remember being as an adult.

If Joan can go from content underwriter to enthusiastic bakery apprentice YOU too can find the silver lining in any challenges life may throw your way! What are YOU passionate about --- and what can you do today to make your dreams come true?

Wishing you the very best with all your endeavors,

Nora A. Burns, SPHR



Nora is founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. She works with corporations, associations and teams across the globe to understand how our differences (cultural, generational, personality, etc) are the keys to fabulous, innovative teams vs being barriers as we often make them out to be. To register for one of her public workshops click here!

Surviving No Man's Land

Later this month friends of mine will find out if they are part of a down/right-sizing at their company or if their jobs will remain intact. This is a challenging position to be in. Over the weekend we talked about the stresses they are experiencing while in “wait and see mode”. If you, like several of my friends, find yourself in this situation here is my (completely unsolicited) advice…

Be involved

No, I’m not suggesting you crash the Board of Directors meeting ---that would NOT be a great career move! I’m simply asking you to remember that it is YOUR life and you get to make choices. Do not allow life to happen to you without your involvement.

It’s possible the company will keep your position and you in that position --- doesn’t mean you don’t still have a decision to make. You make this decision passively every day you go to work – I’m suggesting you make it an active, conscious decision that this is what you want to do…and this is who you want to do it for. It will make a world of difference in your approach to work.

It’s the difference between I “have” to go to work and I “get” to go to work.


Don’t create invisible monsters

It is HIGHLY unlikely that you will, to quote the Chris Farley SNL skit, be “living in a van down by the river” if you lose your job. Don’t create invisible monsters. Focus on the real and plan accordingly.

True, this probably isn’t the best time to go on a major shopping spree or buy a new BMW..... AND…..you don’t need to be stocking up on canned goods in a Y2K kind-of way either!

Deal with what’s real --- it takes a lot less energy.


Be prepared --- it’s not just for Boy Scouts anymore

It’s always a good idea to have your resume up-to-date regardless of what’s going on. Why?....what if you run into someone at a networking event who shares that your DREAM JOB is available and the cutoff for resumes is that evening….you don’t want to be scrambling to put together a resume in that adrenaline-fueled moment!

It’s also a good idea to have one or two professional recruiters take a look at your resume to provide some feedback before sending it off in an attempt to land your dream job. The jobing.com career fairs offer this opportunity, you may have friends in the HR profession, and you could look into a personal career coach – I have heard good things about Coach Joan (http://coachjoan.com/) as well as Coach Cogswell (http://www.coachcogswell.com/) although I have not worked with either of them directly.

Be prepared....it reduces stress considerably!


Find the Silver Lining

Talk to 5 people who have been laid off down/right sized in the past five years and I’m confident at least one of them will tell you it’s the best thing that could have happened to them.

Sometimes people will share that they knew it wasn’t the right job for them…….but they stayed out of comfort until they were asked to leave.

Other times people will share that they had a secret dream they had never pursued until life gave them the opportunity through being downsized.

What is your silver lining??


***

In a future post I’ll share the down/right-sizing story of Joan from Wisconsin…….Until then, know that you can and will survive “no mans land”!

Wishing you the very best with your endeavors,

Nora Burns, SPHR
www.insightfulendeavors.com