The problem with PPs are that they become the presentation itself, and that lends to delivering information, and data dumps. In most business settings it’s almost like reading a manuscript as someone puts up PP after PP and uses them as his/her notes. Too many bullets and too much text. (Rule of Thumb with PPs – less is more!)

Use black slides and transform your presentations. A black slide is literally a slide with no master and a black background. (It is not the “B” key which will blank out a slide, but you always have to unblank, and go back and show the old slide before you can continue on.)

Create Your Communications Experience: Use Black Slides

Official Google Blog: Flying high with Google SMS

Ever spent 15 minutes on the phone shouting answers at the automated airline attendant while rushing to the airport? How cool would it be to get real-time flight info just by sending a quick text message? Well, now you can, using Google SMS.

Simply text your flight number to 466453 (‘GOOGLE’ on most mobile devices), and the status information will be sent back to you. Or text a specific airline name, and Google will send back the main phone number to call.

“Perseverance is about as important to achievement as gasoline is to driving a car. Sure, there will be times when you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, but you’ll always get out of the rut with genuine perseverance. Without it, you won’t even be able to start your engine.

The opposite of perseverance is procrastination. Perseverance means you never quit. Procrastination usually means you never get started, although the inability to finish something is also a form of procrastination.”

Read the full article from Jim Rohn…

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If you’re an aggressive, imaginative leader, you probably see countless opportunities to double, triple, or quadruple your business. But beware. Overambitious goals can be damaging to the business and your career, particularly if you pursue those goals without understanding their side effects.

You can’t set goals on the basis of your ambition or imagination without considering the real-world constraints of the business. If you aim for double-digit revenue growth, how will you fund it? What will happen to debt and cash flow? And do you have people with the right skills to accomplish it?

Read the full article at:
http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/companyknow/26523

How to transition from work mode to home life – Lifehacker 

For those of us who have a hard time checking out of work mode when it’s time to kick back and enjoy normal life, the Web Worker Daily weblog posts a few tips for going off the clock when you’re out of the office.

The tips offered include setting up a work-to-home transition period, setting strict limits between the two, planning your non-work evening, and learning to better stop and start on work instead of pushing back quitting time until you finish with what you’re doing. Aa a fella who works from home, I know how easy it can be to let the line between work time and recreation time blur. These suggestions offer some good advice for making sure you have time away from work to unwind.

Brian Kim: Teach kids time management | 43 Folders

#5: Time Management

Speaking of other skills that can be utilized in any job and career is time management. The majority of students never really learn to value their time and mange it while in school. Procrastination is all too rampant (studying right before class, doing homework and essays the day it’s due, partying the night before the exam). This lack of time management often carries over into adulthood, which becomes a major liability…

Mazzaro’s Italian Market in Saint Petersburg, Florida

If you happen to live in the Central Florida area or are visiting St. Pete or Tampa, you will have to make your way over to Mazzaro’s Italian Market. In addition to providing great Italian products and a wonderful bakery, they roast their own coffee. And it is good!