lorrinda

Polly and the Guitar Player

2011-11-13T23:11:00.010-05:00

We were at the Laugh Out Loud comedy club for the Project Access fundraiser and Polly mentioned that she was delivering her initial sermon. She has been in “boots on the ground” ministry for years, so this was just her latest assignment. I love her because “Pretty Polly” is authentically beautiful inside and out.

I spent a New Year’s eve with her and her husband counting piggy bank money and making merry. I have two happily divorces; our marriage didn’t ruin our friendship so Keith will always be my BFF and Mr. Michieka checks in between girlfriends and sings in the choir and plays guitar. Ernest and shug puddin’ were so cute together. I celebrated their commitment to each other. Just being around them made me warm inside.

Service at First Missionary Baptist Church started at 10:00 AM. Different. Like it. I arrived at 10:08 AM and some people were still outside; either transitioning from Sunday School or just arriving like me. After service, I found the website of the church “Where Love Makes the Difference.” First Lady Delectra referred to kingdom-building as a process – no wonder I felt at home. In fact, the banner in the church actually read, “Welcome Home!” I absolutely enjoyed the service and we were in and out in 2 hours flat. I will definitely will visit again, though I didn’t stand with the visitors. I never do.

When I was preparing to go, I made sure to take some information architecture work to help me through the rough spots. As the Granddaughter of a Pentecostal Pastor, Reverend Ella Langston Mitchell, I can feel like I have reached my lifetime maximum of hours in church, but this service was actually refreshing. I checked out of several portions of the service including the Parade of Benjamins (AKA march-around offering), the announcements, visitor recognition (AKA hug fest), the Veterans Parade, the greet the Minister Parade, etc. I managed to get the data types mapped for the database. Yay.

Polly was her sweet, authentic, informed and inspiring self and I reflecting on how proud I was to know such a powerhouse woman. Her message was “I’m a Witness and You Should Be a Witness Too.” --- or something like that. I heard all of what Polly is in that message, i.e., a sharecropper’s daughter born in a farmhouse near Princeton; a community advocate; a biblical and business scholar; a confident, witty, and sexy soul sister; a truth defender; a confidant and friend; a dedicated mother, wife and Granny; and a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is something like 60 years old with the body and brains of a 30 year old. You go girl. She has the discipline and grace that I hope to have if I ever grow up.

We sang Hymn #644 “Count Your Blessings.” The verses got lost somewhere in the mumbling of a mostly older congregation that seemed to desperately need their reading glasses. I asked the guy next to me, “Are they singing this song?” as I pointed to the page trying to sing it from my lips like I heard it in my head from back in the day at Holly Street Holiness Church in Goldsboro, NC. He said, “Yep, that’s it.” I thought, “Nope. Not really.” I checked out and sat down. The Saints were still painfully working their way through the four verses when I turned on hotspot, flipped out the stylus and ipad, launched the HootSuite app; and simultaneously tweeted (@lorrindam) and FaceBook posted, “Count your blessings; name them one by one.”

I checked in at one point and found Polly bouncing in the choir singing, “I Am Souled Out!” Gospel music must be in her DNA and I expect she just couldn’t help herself. My favorite part of Hezekiah Walker’s “Souled Out” is at 2 minutes 24 seconds: “My heart is fixed, my mind’s made up. No room, no vacancies - I’m all filled up. His spirit lives in me and that’s the reason I’m souled out!”

The guitar is my favorite instrument. My Grandpa Deacon Hezzie Lee Mitchell who is 96 still hauls the guitar and duct taped amplifier to church at Saint Delight Holy Church. During the announcements is when I first noticed that the guitar player was wooing me. I watched him a good bit during the service and he didn’t fall asleep like Grandpa does. Sister Della told us about the upcoming events and the food drive and introduced us to Little Miss Black USA – or something like that. Surely that little girl will be a profound leader one day. She commanded the microphone wearing her tiara and pixie braids. The guitarist wore an unpretentious grey, long-sleeved sweatshirt amongst seemingly tediously fashioned ladies in hats and frocks. He mastered the strings stirring a praise in me that would not let me check out during one of my least favorite parts. I expected the music to be loud and painful. I remember thinking that I should have taken some pre-headache medicine to be able to recover quickly from the experience, but the music at “First Church” was meaningful, soothing, reverent, harmonious and beautiful.

In one part where the Senior Servant (AKA Pastor) asked us to rest on our feet, I decided that if I had to be standing up, I might as well get a light jog going to try and relieve the something like sciatica pain in my left buttock. A lady across the aisle in the blue suit and slightly more permed hair than my mini-fro, had her hands up and hankie waving; gyrating even more than I was, so I assumed nobody would even notice me. We were resting on our feet again when the guitar, the voices, and the lyrics touched me and I found my face twisted in an ugly cry deep in worship. I can’t remember exactly what was happening during the service when I was having this wonderful moment, but I remember it started when we were all standing. I cracked one very wet eye and everybody was sitting back down! --I was alone, standing, crying, holding my red sweater on my sleeveless shoulders with one hand with the other raised high in the air. I thought, “What are they doing? Don’t care… this feels good so I’m staying until the guitar stops.” We were singing Kirk Franklin’s, “Oh, I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand. No matter what may come my way, my life is in your hands.”

It was over. I dried my face with my bare hands. I said to the lady next to me, “I’m glad I didn’t wear any make-up.” She said, “I know what you mean. It was already hot when we first came in. I don’t think the air conditioning is on.” Hmmm… that wasn’t exactly the experience that I was having so I smiled politely and went back to work.

When I checked in again, I think Polly was getting gifts and the “you’re legit proclamation.” We were invited to come shake her hand. You guessed it. Time to check out. But instead, while everyone was hugging and wishing Polly well, I made my way to the guitar player where I learned that he played there every Sunday! I told him that his talent was amazing and checked out and went home; thankful to God, to First Church, to Polly and the guitar player.

A Normal for an Anomaly

2010-12-09T23:09:00.006-05:00

I live by lists, reminders and calendar items. Think. Plan. Done. After all, I am the "Efficiency Expert" ...BUT sometimes not having a 'normal' process for an abnormal action can create an issue.

I promised to make business cards for the graduation, so I texted myself a reminder to do it. I gave my ‘normal’ laptop (13”) to the graduation “iPod DJ” to create an appropriate playlist for the grand occasion!

The rest of the story…

The 17” laptop wouldn’t fit in my ‘normal’ bag so I put it and the card paper in a different bag. Sat to print the cards and the paper wasn’t in my ‘normal’ bag. “Hmmm… that’s strange, I specifically remember putting the paper in “a bag”. The paper was in the different bag right in the car and I just forgot that fact.

Moral of the story…

We are die-hard creatures of habit and sometimes ‘situation normal’ can bite.

Practical application…

When doing something outside of your normal routine, make yourself a reminder so the anomaly is not forgotten. This little tip can keep the rhythm of your to-do list in sync.

Haiti Man Unloads Coal - Great Pic

2010-09-29T17:40:00.000-04:00

Awesome picture of Haiti man unloading a bag of coal. NewsObserver.com | Nation/World

How to Motivate Creative Knowledge Workers

2010-08-26T03:02:00.002-04:00

Daniel Pink on the surprising science of motivation. Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose = how to motivate engaged workers. ROWE = results oriented work environment.

How to Have an Original Idea

2010-08-24T02:47:00.002-04:00

Take away: "If I am not afraid to be wrong, I can continue to have original ideas.

SharePoint MySite 101

2010-07-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

SharePoint My Site 101

View more presentations from rwuhrman.

Couture iPad Clutch

2010-07-01T12:27:00.006-04:00

Couture goes Tech - Osca de la Renta iPad clutch. What.What? http://bit.ly/b2Z9A6 No surprise the sales channel is, "available online only". Can you say, "Test Market?"

http://www.oscardelarenta.com/?folderId=%2Fshoponline%2Fipadclutch%2F&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7-1

Not mad at 'em. I want one; very chic... but somehow I think I'd repurpose the clutch as a REALLY fancy memo pad protector since I'm not that good at the one-handed typing required to be productive and actually get work done on an iPad.

Lorrinda S. Michieka, MBA, PMP® www.movemymountain.com Business IT Solutions

Obtaining Nonprofit 501c3

2010-05-20T20:41:00.016-04:00

Obtaining non-profit status (your 501c3) is not hard, but it does require a significant time commitment and some of the same skills and exercises it takes to write a business plan.

1. Register assumed business name at Register of Deeds - ~$30 • Decide Registered Agent

2. Form business entity with Secretary of State’s Office - $125+

• Inc. - Articles of Incorporation details business purpose. a) Do yourself or hire business attorney. b) Samples available. c) NC Secretary of State Form B-01 • Separate personal and corporate assets, i.e., bank accounts, inventory, etc.

• QuickBooks Simple-Start accounting software is free. • If LLC – Articles of Organization a) Single member LLC possible. b) Multi-member, Manager-Managed (popular) • Board of Directors, Bylaws, Operating Agreement, Shareholder Agreement, etc. a) The Board of Directors and not management ultimately responsible for the organization’s performance (fulfilling the mission). • Possible to get 501c3 w/o Inc or LLC, but unusual.

3. IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) • Quicker & instant if done online (~15 min.) • IRS Time Estimate: 10 Hours 10 Minutes. • EIN & Articles of Incorporation needed to open business bank account. Some banks offer free business checking.

4. IRS Form 253 (Election by a Small Business Corporation). • S-Corp Election – taxed to shareholder vs corporate itself. • IRS Form 2553 – Time estimate: 16 Hours 22 Minutes.

5. File IRS Form 1023 (with IRS - ~$800 • 30 page form (without schedules & attachments) – like writing a business plan • 100 hour estimate to complete a) 2-9 month IRS approval time: Initial Response, Follow-up Q&A, Determination Letter, etc.

6. Apply for NC Dept of Revenue tax exemption

7. Request NC Charitable Solicitation Letter

8. Annual file IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax)

9. Industry buzz words: • Trust, accountability, transparency & performance.

10. Unlimited pro-bono legal assistance may available for low-wealth organizations. NC LEAP is non-profit arm of NC Bar Association. • Mary Horowitz, Director • http://ncleap.ncbar.org/ • Not as many pro-bono opportunities for non-profits.

SOURCES:

Martin, Marty, JD MPA. (2010, May 20). Starting a Non-Profit. Presentation given at Cameron Village Regional Library, Raleigh, NC.

Matt Cunningham, Esq. (2010, May 18). Choosing Forming and Maintaining A New Business Structure. Presentation given at Raleigh Business and Technology Center/NC LEAP, Raleigh, NC.

BizFilings – The Small Business Incorporation Experts. (n.d.). Filing for Tax-Exempt Status for Non-Profits. Retrieved May 20, 2010 from http://www.bizfilings.com/learn/tax-exempt-nonprofit.aspx .

Mary Horowitz, Esq. (2010, May 4). Applying for Pro-Bono Assistance. Presentation given at Raleigh Business and Technology Center/NC LEAP, Raleigh, NC. --Lorrinda S. Michieka, MBA, PMP movemymountain.com

5 Most Lucrative IT Leader Certifications

2010-03-04T14:39:00.002-05:00

Most Lucrative IT Leader Certifications ITIL, PMP & CISSP

Some Things You Must Do Yourself

2010-02-08T23:43:00.004-05:00

Laughs with Mom: True story. I bought some nail polish off the clearance rack at CVS drug store... Milani... only 87 cents woo hoo! Got home and it was actually lipstick; totally NOT my shade. I said, "I love that color so much that I'm going to find a nail polish that color." I thought a while about this, knowing that I really don't like to shop and said, "I'm lying... I know good and well that I'll never actually do that.

Mom said, "You better quit that lying so you can make it into the kingdom." I said, "You going?" "Sure am," says Mom. I said, "Can I ride?" ...we shared by biggest laugh. :-)

Some things you just must do for yourself.

10AM Conference Call

2010-01-29T13:40:00.006-05:00

When you're wrong, admit it quickly, apologize & do better next time. -LSM

_______________________

From: lorrinda [mailto:lsm@lorrinda.com]
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 12:23 PM
Subject: (A POEM)- Re: Confirmation of Scheduled Call

So sorry --bed at 5AM --made deadline, long story.
Set clock, didn’t punch ‘go’-- didn’t mean to cause a worry.
Strangest thing, phone always rings -whether for them or me.
But not this time, nor did you call, guess wasn’t meant to be.

Forgive me --
Lorrinda

"Remembering to Repeat " - An Outcomes-Based Learning Approach

2010-01-28T02:52:00.005-05:00

http://www.brainrules.net

This is a very long email I sent to the BDPA Triangle HSCC/SITES Coordinator recommending a 2010 approach to our High School Computer Competition and High School Computer Competition

-----------

Ms. Valerie:

Can we consider using the exact same programming problem as last year's competition. No idea what the problem was, but the familiarity will bode well with returning students. See Rule #6 – Remember to repeat (below). They'll remember the things that they got hung up on and have meaningful, problem specific questions vs having to try to conceptualize how to apply the concepts we're teaching. I’m going for real aha moments here!

I am by no stretch of the imagination a licensed educator, but I am an avid follower of my favorite brain/learning gurus Dr.John Medina, Caroline Leaf, and Dr. Ryuta Kawashima). The science of learning is fascinating to me and I dare say that they are oddly missing from historical teaching methodologies in my opinion.

A programmer’s first job is to see the big picture and understand the problem (right brain), then be able to dissect the problem into manageable chunks (left brain) to be able to use the tools (task lists, time estimates and a particular programming language’s capabilities, syntax, functions, etc) to computerize the logic that solves the problem. I am convinced that learning and retention cannot simply be academic exercises. Dr. Medina says that vision trumps all other senses. I believe that. Pictures are not worth a thousand words. Pictures are priceless. Therefore, one of our challenges is to get the students to SEE the problem in their heads (…and flow charts, entity diagrams, etc) before they can ever have a real chance of solving it.

My learning is easier when I can readily associate something I don’t know with something I already know. Perhaps for the students, solving the problem on one platform (operating system), with one programming language (API) and one set of tools will build the foundation for really understanding that we could easily have used a different OS, language or tool to solve the same problem! That is a real key point.

Additionally, especially in a team effort is initiating (--what’s the problem and what value will it’s solution have?), planning (--what are the steps and resources to finding the solution?), executing (--what are we doing and exactly who is doing what?) and testing/delivering (--how do we know we’re done? –will the teacher/client/judge like it?) the finished solution. For example, when we do our session on public speaking, we could tie into the programming problem by having the students give an oral presentation on their assigned role in solving the problem, their approach and how what they are assigned to do will fit into the big picture that will ultimately solve the problem.

For example, I am a right brain creative infused by a left brain strategist that gives me fits when I have to learn something new. The tow is much easier when I can fully appreciate the value of knowing that new thing. Then I reason with myself on how to use available resources (books, people internet, library) to learn what I need to know.

Yea, I’m doing my TMI thing again, but I feel very strongly about cumulative, outcome-based learning. Almost as strong as I feel about evidence-based decision making, but that’s a whole other carnival. [SMILE] I think learning should be relevant and not just academic, when at all possible, to give learners/students a little instant gratification that will build confidence and critical thinking skills.

Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it… Hmmm… think I’ll use this write-up as my blog post tomorrow… since I am clearly passionate about the subject. Sorry it turned into a dissertation of sorts… I’m done… now for the pictures!!

Xox0,

Lorrinda

How to Embed File in WORD Doc

2009-12-29T05:36:00.009-05:00

How to embed a file in a
Microsoft Word 2007 document.
View Tutorial

Always Christmas in My Heart

2009-12-23T21:54:00.005-05:00

I sent an e-card this year from bluemountain.com that pretty much sums up the way I feel about Christmas. I really dislike the commercialization of the Holy Christmas season, though I am a capitalist, social entrepreneur and small business evangelist.

One thing I love about this season is the opportunity to say hello and send love and blessings to people I love, miss, appreciate and/or care about. Usually that is just a phone call, email, e-card or visit, but it gives me the perfect reason to say hello, thank you or I love you.

The free card was sponsored by Wal-Mart and it says: "If there were more days like Christmas, our world would be filled with the joy of song... ...the spirit of goodness, the colors of happiness, and the hope of believers everywhere. May it always be Christmas in your heart." Then I found a wonderful heart ornament on designerornaments.com and put the image together using the wording & ornament. I won't be surprised if I send this same card and ornaments next year.

Is Hip Hop Dead?

2009-12-17T09:54:00.009-05:00

Amore' Rayne Is hip hop dead? Is R&B taking over?... I feel there is a shortage on quality music with lyrical substance! I just had a conversation about this exact subject a couple of days ago. My fear is who do we have to carry on the torch for the next generation as far as R&B goes? Hopefully my music will be among those who keep the torch lit. But we don't have many Whitney Houstons, Aretha ... See more Franklin's or Chaka Khan's in this industry anymore. Who ... See More will this generation have to look back on when they get older? There are far more studio generated singers than they are actual real gifted singers. What happened to the time where it really didn't matter what you looked like, what mattered was the quality of your vocals. And don't get me started on the lyrical content.. This is a subject that I am so very passionate about. Because you see the decline of the expectation of good music from the consumers. It's almost to the point where they are so use to listening to nonsense that they just listen to a beat and they lyrics just don't matter at this point. Me personally I'm tired of hearing about getting wasted, rims, kicks, clothes and droppin it like it's hot. I'm tired of seeing artist feel like they have to get half naked or straight up naked to sell records. I'm tired of seeing rappers talk about a life style that they actually never had. I understand the game. I know that at the end of the day it's about an image and a product but can we just get back to "Quality" regardless of the genre of music? It turns my stomach to see that being pretty trumps being talented. And if your willing to show as much as possible your definitely star bound. When will consumers demand more? If you can't find quality on a major scale, there are a lot of independent artist such as myself that does get it. I can't give anything less than quality. Music is who I am. It's the transcript of my life.

Who is Amore' Rayne? ...a multi-award winning independent singer/songwriter. Her recently released sophomore album titled "Girl Like Me'' is taking the R&B/Pop industry by storm.

Lorrinda Hip Hop and R&B is evolving as people and music always have and always will. GM filing bankruptcy felt like a horse & buggy company going under in our time... it is just not what is in demand. And truly that is economics in its most simple form... supply and demand. Evolve or die.

My ears tune in for powerful lyrics, clever melodies and passionate vocals no matter what the genre. Listeners decide what they want to hear. I think artists should create and perform what moves them personally... if it's only the money without regard to talent, then garbage-in-garbage-out. Perhaps we don't call it "soul" music so much anymore for a reason. Like Thelonious Monk was accredited at developing the bebop style of jazz, Amore may need a whole new genre to describe her talent... or be credited with keeping a genre alive in our current times. In short, do what moves you and it will move others in groups large or small.

Photo Credit

NC State Surplus Offers Online Bidding

2009-12-12T15:56:00.003-05:00

Any bidder who registered with the system could submit an offer on the likes of a car, a laboratory pump, a sink, a lathe, or on any of 150,000 other items that passed through the online marketplace. Right now you can't see the dollar amounts of competing bids.

www.ncstatesurplus.com Big-ticket or high-end items such as an airplane, for instance, might be auctioned on eBay. Low price items, those worth less than $150 such as school desks, refrigerators and the like are sold in outlets located on the campuses of a half-dozen state university campuses. It's the items between that range - 65 percent of them being cars, vans and the like - that are now sold online in two weekly auctions.

You must register, but the biddding is open to the public. (Lee Weisbecker, TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/04/09).

Self-Managing Outside My Door

2009-12-08T22:06:00.005-05:00

While attending the Living Arts College at the School of Communication Arts I developed a habit of carrying a unruled, pocket reporter moleskine for ideas, sketches, notes and receipts. Mostly I work remotely, but I have an office about a half hour away where I meet new clients and hold small meetings. Mom visits every couple of weeks or so to give us both a break from our normal routines. We have so much fun together!

Today, she saw the pile of receipts I’d collected and she instinctively started going through them. Mom blurts, “Girl! You go all these places when I’m not here!” I shot back, “I go all those places when I’m not HERE!” If I am at home working (or playing) I can’t go “all those places” and spend money, so I try to go out only when it is absolutely necessary. When I do go out, the moleskine or my blackberry holds my plan of attack for making the most of the time by getting errands and on-site customer deliverables done. I have been known to stay home 7-10 days and hardly even go out to the mailbox.

In a Harvard Business Review article by Peter Drucker called “Managing Oneself.” It discusses the challenges and importance of self-management. Ultimately, it is my responsibility to know myself; my strengths, weaknesses and values so that I can “place myself” where I can be most efficient and effective.

Self-discovery is probably one of the toughest things I’ve had to do. It takes careful feedback and trial-and-error precision, but it is well worth it. When I make impulse buying decisions or forget to write down business or personal expenses, it is nobody’s fault but mine. Likewise, it is only “my doing” that affords me to live my whole life without finding my passions and my destined place of effectiveness in the world outside my door.

How A Stupid Facebook Game Makes Zynga Millions

2009-12-03T10:15:00.002-05:00

"How is it possible that Facebook gamesmaker Zynga will turn in 2009 revenues approaching a reported $250 million -- making 90% of its money selling gamers nothing but virtual goods? The object of FishVille is to build a magnificent virtual aquarium, full of spectacular fish and designer decorations. The way you do it is spending fake money to buy small fish for one price, and then, after tending to them for a few hours or days, selling them for more fake money then you paid. Then you use that money to buy more fish. If you want to speed your progress, you buy fake money with real money. We'd explain more, but it's really just easier to show you how it works..." Read more...

US DOL $55 million in Green Jobs Training Grants

2009-12-02T02:04:00.003-05:00

US Department of Labor Announces Nearly $55 million in Green Jobs Training Grants through Recovery Act. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced nearly $55 million in green jobs grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will support job training and labor market information programs to help workers, many in underserved communities, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations. To view the press release, click here

LorrindaSM About Shoes & Actionable Intelligence

2009-11-17T20:44:00.006-05:00

I've just returned from getting new shoes on my buggy. It wasn’t all a waste of time though. I met Liz; a big brown-eyed, Cajun (Louisiana born) white woman that is a 2nd degree black belt, an ex-cop and knows more about cars that I could ever hope to… plus she’s a Granny, web designer & PC mechanic. I told her if she’d change “her parts” I’d marry her. We both had a knee slappin’ laugh on that one. I saw this and thought of you… sounds like good grant lingo for some IT solution of other… “organizations must have dynamic, actionable intelligence based on one version of truth.” Don’t you just love that? I do. What good is data if an organization cannot mine it to help make good business decisions?

Ladies shouldn’t have to traipse about at night looking for buggy shoes… or pump gas… or wash cars, but that’s my Daddy’s fault for making me believe that, “real men drive trucks;” and various other tales. Thanks for offering your services for the future. I would totally give you props for being the hero in my distressed damsel scenario. It was very kind and very real-man'ish of you to offer.

I think I’m writing you right now because I’m thinking about you and all you mean and will mean to my world. Thank you for letting me play in yours. …getting back to work now since I just spent 3 non-productive hours (except for getting the needed tires and meeting Liz, of course) at the shoe store.

sign: Lorrinda (while having a LorrindaSM)

My Picture Costing Me Business Opportunities

2009-11-11T08:23:00.011-05:00

I got an interesting email about whether my picture (a black woman) was costing me business opportunities.

**************MY REPLY TO ELAINE ********************

Hi Elaine!

My first rule of engagement in life and business is authenticity. If my picture causes someone angst or initiates their reluctance to do business with me, then that's their problem. I shy from types of "political correctness" that would cause me to skirt around the truth.

I usually only want to do business with friendly people, otherwise the relationship may be strained and stressful and I avoid stress whenever possible! Money can really be the root of many evils if it leads or is the only factor in the decision-making process.

My picture is posted because it speaks the truth about who I am; a friendly, sincere, woman of color... and it allows me to define myself vs someone that does not know how wonderful I am doing it for me. [smile] BUT -- my transparency may just be an innate, naturally occurring phenomenon... see lorrinda.com

I like being able to say that my customers and my friends are from many different races and socio-economic backgrounds. For example, I am in the member of Jr. League, BDPA & PMI, and volunteer at a mostly Hispanic Girls & Boys club. I learn so much from each of these groups... and I have so much fun! --if I'm not having fun, I don't want to play. Life is too short for that.

My advice to you is to post your logo or photo from a place of good intend... and all should be well (with your soul and as an added value, your business!). Wishing you every success... and that your valleys be lifted and your mountains moved. I hope this was helpful.

Lorrinda

**************EMAIL FROM ELAINE ********************
Lorinda I am reaching out for some assistance.

I am a woman of color and am seeing help on some issues related to African Americans posting their photo on the web and if this causes any reduction in the leads of contacts received that are actually willing to do business with us - to trust that we know what we are saying and doing.

I had no photo initially -- the discussion on project management certification (my field of knowledge) was rich and involved. I posted my photo and all comments were not responded to, no questions answered, no dialogue except from prior customers. I removed the photo and the dialogue is now back up and highly engaging.

Your comments on this as a person of color would be much appreciated.

My business is coaching individuals to pass the PMP Certification Exam. The need to connect with a face is desirable but I do not do this at all. I have posted this similar question to this group with my photo and no one answered. UM I may post it as a question that a marketing firm is asking to see if people don't mind helping a marketing group as a way of helping themselves.

Thanks for your help - I notice you have your photo posted. Do you have your own business? Do you market only to people of color? The situation / question I pose is most critical for black business owners I use my logo as a photo.

Elaine in Massachusetts

Useless Design

2009-11-08T14:42:00.005-05:00

I collect pens like they were artifacts. There's just something about having such a useful tool handy that really peeks my "happy place." Today I picked up a pen to write and it wouldn't. After the usual shaking, starring at the barrel and knocking the point against the desk, it still would not write. Maybe the burning of the tip with some fire would have done the trick, but it was stored upright so it should have just worked... so I through it away.

All of that led me to think about myself and "my design" and I invite you to think about yours. If you were designed to be... let's say a fireman, but you're currently not a fireman, does that mean your "design" was useless? In one sense perhaps, but I like to think of it as "delayed implementation" of a design. We know what makes us happy. If we don't then that is a whole other set of issues, but generally we fully understand the things that bring us joy.

So if you get a moment today, think about what you must have been designed to do in this life. Are you doing it? Do you know what it is but don't know how to get it going? What's in the way? Is it you? ..or was there a "design flaw?" I have to believe that your design (and mine) is perfect in every way and it is our life's work to to fully implement and live our intended purpose.

Being in sync with your purpose is where you and I will be most happy and full of joy. Don't let anyone throw your design away (like I did the pen) just because it isn't perfectly in place. Keep working at it and keep believing in it... it will come. After all, that is what you're designed to do so it must be within the realm of possibility and reality.

I wish you peace and every good thing that is designed just for you! Lorrinda

What I like on TV

2009-10-09T13:21:00.000-04:00

I like TV shows that give me "news I can use." Like Google's Marissa Mayer said at a commencement address, "Information used to be scarce and expensive." Now information is in overload (and I am an info junkie!). Having a better life means we have to make better decisions. In order to make better decisions, we need good information. Therefore, I like TV shows that have comprehensive, condensed, relevant, actionable information.

Some Shows I like are:

Divorce Court (relationships/marriage)
The Big Idea (entrepreneur/business)
Suze Orman (financials)
Clark Howard (consumer)
Mad Money (markets)
Numbers (practical application of math)
What Not to Wear (fashion)
Daytime in No Time (Daytime TV Recap)
Infomania (current news, condensed/funny)
John Stewart Daily Show
The View
History Channel
HGTV
Biography

I seem to be happiest when I am "in the know" and sharing that knowledge. There are several talk radio shows, online-only shows and podcasts that I really like.

Oprah's Flash Mob Trainers

2009-09-11T14:04:00.004-04:00

This is the best example of "Train the Trainer" that I have seen in a long time!

Oprah's staff plotted a flash mob for her 24th Season Kickoff Party. Oprah had no idea and the results were fantastic. A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place and perform an unusual action to surprise onlookers.

On September 8, 2009, this flash mob took over Chicago's Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) to perform one of the biggest dances in the world. It was truly spectatular.

Masterminds award winning director Michael Gracey and top choreographer Ashley Wallin taught 20 professional dancers a routine to the smash hit "I Got a Feelin," which Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas customized just for Oprah. FaceBook and Twitter was used to find viewers that loved to dance. 800 people showed up and were taught by the 20 professionals. The day of the show, there was a rehearsal and those 800 helped 20,000 others learn. Even comedian "Ali" Wentworth, George Stephanopoulos' wife, who is a regular on Oprah's Friday's Live in Chicago, was grooving.

I really like the idea of learning from someone "like me," because if they can do it so can I. Therefore, the process that I recommend for teaching is large group of people something new is to train key people, and have those people train key people, etc. Making this work requires that a process be put in place that is simple, repeatable and measurable. For example, because the mob was standing so close to each other, it was easy to know when you were "out of step" and get back on track.

The "Train the Trainer" model was introduced as a way to teach an organizational committee made up of leadership and various groups to learn how to implement new document management procedures. The procedures were clear, written, peer reviewed steps for keeping the organizations documentation practices standardized and manageable. One person from each group (including leadership) will be taught the procedures by a Document Management Team Lead. The Group Lead becomes as much a subject matter expert (SME) as the Team Lead and will be responsible for teaching the members of their group. With a SME in each group, the person(s) being taught always have a point of contact that has a reasonable number of people to manage so that the SME does not become overwhelmed and ineffective. The SME is responsible for funneling information back to the Team Lead who can take action to do re-training as needed or even lead efforts to modify the written procedures if necessary.

I was thrilled watching the flash mob and give grand kudos to Oprah for beginning her 24th season, but the take-away for me was the fact that viral, train-the-trainer training really can work and pull off some pretty amazing feats!

Lorrinda S. Michieka, MBA Move My Mountain, LLC

Public Schools Need e-Learning Solutions

2009-08-12T11:37:00.003-04:00

To prevent lost learning time from H1N1 flu school closings US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan said school systems may need to implement "temporary homeschooling plans" to allow students to complete schoolwork over the phone or the internet. This could be a huge opportunity for e-learning and/or LMS providers.