http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/ en-US Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:10:48 -0500 http://www.typepad.com/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/11/moving.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/11/moving.html I've been with Typepad almost 2 years now. Though I was a WordPress user, I thought I'd try a different platform for my 'new' blog...Burke's Bits. Well, I think I've given Typepad enough time to grow on me and it hasn't. I know it works well for many people. I know that Six Apart has worked hard to ensure that the new look and feel will be good for the people. But honestly, I'm a WordPress person at heart. So, for the moment, Burke's Bits will be housed at my personal site, charleneburke. I will probably use Burke's Bits as... Charlene Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:10:48 -0500 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/07/what-do-you-do-flexibility-when-networking.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/07/what-do-you-do-flexibility-when-networking.html “So, tell me, what do you do?” A question posed by attendees to each other as they network – whether at a formal event sponsored by a local business or at a more casual event sponsored by a chamber of commerce or other membership group. My response has changed over time. Partly because I get tired of saying the same thing all the time, mostly because people simply don’t understand. Not everyone! Not every time! Which is why I have a second or third description handy. For instance, when talking about my research business, I will say: I am an... Business Intelligence Current Techniques Professional Development Sales Small business Charlene Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:01:21 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/06/do-something-amazing.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/06/do-something-amazing.html I read this and said "huh?" I know...lame, right? Well, at zenhabits.net there is a description of amazing that resonated with me. He says ... "Amazing is in the eye of the beholder - Mozart's Amazing Work would be different than my Amazing Work. We should all strive to be the greatest we can be. Amazing Work can be any kind of work, if it's fulfilling your potential." Wow. Finally. Somebody offers a definition that I not only understand, but can honestly say I am now doing! Hey, this is my revelation - not to worry, it will make sense... Charlene Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:24:10 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/05/memorial-day-.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/05/memorial-day-.html Image by Beverly & Pack via Flickr It is Memorial Day here in the United States. I want to honor all the men and women who have served in uniform for our country in defense of freedom and human dignity, and who have responded to our country's call; especially those who have been injured, and most fervently to the families of those who, as Lincoln noted, "gave their last full measure of devotion." May we all honor that sacrifice. The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who do not take sides during a period of crisis. ~John F.... A Bit of History Current Affairs Charlene Mon, 31 May 2010 08:56:16 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/05/spent-the-day-with-high-school-marketing-students.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/05/spent-the-day-with-high-school-marketing-students.html I had the pleasure of spending an entire day at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center in Louisville, KY as a judge in the DECA National Competition – High School Division. 13,000 students from around the country, having competed in their local and state level, converged on Louisville over the weekend. Entered in numerous categories related to business and marketing, these students presented business plans, marketing plans, advertising campaigns, and more. I was a judge in the Internet Marketing category and was treated to some outstanding online marketing plans. Some were for fictitious businesses, while others were for actual businesses... Current Affairs Marketing Personal Development Professional Development Small business Charlene Mon, 10 May 2010 10:39:00 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/04/skills-a-good-independent-info-prol-should-have-part-two.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/04/skills-a-good-independent-info-prol-should-have-part-two.html Building a successful research business means that an independent information professional should have excellent research skills. Business Intelligence Current Affairs Current Techniques Professional Development Small business Charlene Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:00:00 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/04/skills-a-good-independent-info-pro-should-have-part-one.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/04/skills-a-good-independent-info-pro-should-have-part-one.html The skills a good independent information professional should have start with people skills, but include business, personal management, entrepreneurial, and information skill as well. There's more to being an info pro than being able to find something on the internet and send it to a client. Current Techniques Customer Service Personal Development Professional Development Research Sales Small business Sourcing Charlene Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:28:24 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/professional-development-and-sales-presentations.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/professional-development-and-sales-presentations.html As a business owner I know that making effective sales presentations is key to growing my business. As a member of Toastmasters, every speech I give provides me with excellent feedback. As an attendee to NSA Kentucky Speaker School Spring Training Camp with Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE I was bombarded with outstanding information and excellent tools to add to my arsenal of speaking skills. This past Friday I was treated to her session:“Good to Great: Taking Your Presentation to the Next Level” and within minutes I knew I was in the right place. How Well do You Speak Now? She... Current Techniques Marketing Professional Development Research Sales Charlene Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:23:15 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/a-peek-into-my-personal-development-journey.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/a-peek-into-my-personal-development-journey.html This post was originally published as a guest post at The Life Uncommon blog and I thought I'd share it with you. If life is a journey to find myself, then how do I cope with being lost until then? *sigh* Yes, I asked such a question once. I was annoyed. For many years, well into my 20s, I had the misconception that life was all about ‘finding myself’. I would hear an encouraging word from a teacher “not to worry, as you grow up you find out who you really are”, or from a wannabe hippy aunt “life is... A Bit of History Personal Development Useless Information Charlene Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:15:17 -0400 http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/its-monday-do-i-have-to.html http://burkesbits.typepad.com/burkes_bits/2010/03/its-monday-do-i-have-to.html Sometimes I wake up feeling just like this. Scritchy, slow, cumbersome, and just plain icked out at the thought of it being Monday. What about you? It doesn’t matter that I have great clients. Nor does it matter that I have interesting and challenging projects to work on. And I don’t recall a nightmare or uneasy sleep. Then again, I was sleeping, wasn’t I? I guess my point is this: I am human and sometimes I just don’t want to participate in the day. Then I make a pot of coffee. We grind our own French Roast beans, Eight O’Clock... Personal Development Social Media Useless Information Charlene Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:17:04 -0400