Freedom is NOT Free

All of us in this country are privileged. Yes, we live in challenging times; however, we still have the freedom to make our own decisions, worship as we choose and follow our passion. When I was twenty years old, I had the chance to go to Czechoslovakia after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The Berlin Wall had recently fallen and the world was beginning to change. The stronghold of Communism rule was slowly deteriorating, and I witnessed an amazing time in history.

The Russians were still on the border when we arrived as the country was in transition. I witnessed crowds of people pressed against the doors of churches and pouring out into the street just to listen to a religious service in a language that they could not understand. They had lived under 40 years of communist rule and this had become a way of life. The people were such an inspiration to me because they understood what was truly important in this world- family, friendship and freedom.

Vaclav Havel, the dissident playwright who repeatedly went to jail to demonstrate an enduring attachment to democratic values, was elected as Czechoslovakia's first non-Communist president in more than four decades on December 30, 1989. When I arrived in March 1990, the country was having their various elections and just witnessing democracy in action was amazing. I vividly remember one particular sign that was promoting a party that when translated revealed the words "Friends of Beer".

This made me realize that no matter how difficult I thought my life, I had the ultimate blessing of Freedom that our men and women have fought so hard to maintain since the initial vision of our forefathers of the American Revolution.

Today, the country of Czechoslovakia is no more. The return of democratic political reform saw a strong Slovak nationalist movement emerge by the end of 1991, which sought independence for Slovakia. When the general elections of June 1992 failed to resolve the continuing coexistence of the two republics within the federation, Czech and Slovak political leaders agreed to separate their states into two fully independent nations.

On this Memorial Day, take the time to reflect on these everyday heroes. According to Hope4Heroes.org these are some things you can do to show honor to those that have served our nation. Just pick one and focus on doing it all year long.

1. Shake a hand in public or place a flag in honor of the fallen.
2. Visit a VA or Military Hospital and read a book.
3. Join us at one of our events and say thanks.
4. Contact us to put an event on in your city or state to honor veterans.
5. Donate a gift card.
6. Wear one of our hero memorial bands and share it with others.
7. Host a backyard BBQ and invite just one veteran from your neighborhood.
8. Volunteer, get involved and join an organization just 5 hours a month
to do care packages and letters for members here and deployed.
9. Teach your kids about history and get a school to do a letter drive!
10. Send a care package directly or through an organization to our men and women overseas.

Don't Ignore That Small Still Voice

Have you ever had a feeling that you needed to do something for someone or give someone a call yet ignored that feeling? I would venture to guess that this has happened from time to time. I know that it has happened to me in the past; however, I now know that when this happens it is a message from a higher power, and I need to act on it.


Last Friday I was returning home from a business meeting, and I saw a man sitting by himself . Suddenly, as a made a left turn continuing on my journey, my inner voice asked "Is that man ok? Does he need some help?" I had no reason to think this. There was no indication that he was in any need, but my spirit would not let that feeling subside. I turned the car around and when I reached the gentleman, I asked him," Excuse me Sir, are you ok? Do you need anything?" He replied, " Thank you Ma'am, do you have any change for a ten dollar bill? " He continued to explain that he needed change for the bus. I asked if the bus would give him change. "No Ma'am. Perhaps someone else would come by. Are you going that way?" I replied," No Sir, I actually turned around because I just wanted to make sure you were ok." He replied, "Thank you Ma'am, I really appreciate it."


I pulled away and then suddenly my inner voice said, " Dallas, you just need to see where he needs to go and take him there. You have time." I didn't even think about the safety issue. As I was passing him now on the left side, I rolled down the window and asked, "Where do you need to go?" He replied, "I just needed to get some change for the bus. " " Well, how much do you need for the bus?" " A dollar" he replied. I quickly looked in my wallet and just happen to have one dollar.


He approached the car and after thanking me with a huge smile on his face, he tried to hand me a ten dollar bill in exchange for one dollar. " No, you had to work hard for that. Please just take this and have blessed day." He was so grateful, and I found myself driving off with tears welling up in my eyes just amazed at how God will use us if we just say Yes.


My wish for you is that you say "yes" and do not miss out on the opportunity to be part of God's daily miracles. It is through us that God touches others on a daily basis.

Etiquette tips on how to utilize videoconferencing most effectively

When thinking of this subject, I sought an expert in the field to help us highlight some tips for success.

Businesses are beginning to do what they do in completely new ways in order to adjust to the challenges of the current economy. Gone, at least for now, are the days of deep expense accounts, unquestioned travel and frivolous overhead expenses. Many tools that companies have always turned to are being utilized even more in this new economy. For example, as companies continue to slash travel budgets, eliminating all but only absolutely necessary trips, videoconferencing usage has risen dramatically. In fact, according to Regus, the world’s leading workplace solutions and videoconferencing provider, it’s video conference services have seen a 40 percent increase so far in 2009.

Because delivering new business presentations, conducting team meetings and interviewing job candidates for positions via videoconferencing is different from being live and in-person, Sande Golgart, videoconferencing expert with Regus offers the following quick etiquette tips on how to utilize videoconferencing most effectively:

1. Dress to Impress – Think of television personalities. Remember, the camera can add a few pounds! Solid, mid-tone colors are most flattering and give the best impression.

2. Houston, We Have a Problem– Sounds simple, but make sure you know how to connect your PC, so you’re not trying to connect it during the video conference.

3. Be a Natural – Today’s technology easily picks up on normal conversational voice levels, so there’s no need to speak loudly.

4. Make a Mute Point – Use the audio-mute button, especially when you need to have a private discussion with colleagues in the same room, or if you need to simply move coffee cups or papers around – tabletop microphones are especially good at picking up every sound.

5. Less Is More – Keep the setting behind participants simple so as not to distract viewers from what’s important – the person who is talking.

6. Over and Out –Turn off the microphone and power when the video conference is complete – many embarrassing moments have been caused where participants forgot to hit the off or disconnect switch!

Remember the perception camera is always rolling and although convenient, video conferencing has its own set of challenges. Practice these tips and you will be well on your way to mastering this form of business meeting.

Now accepting orders for Professionally Polished, Business Etiquette Savvy for Today’s Competitive Market. Order on line and receive your copy hot of the press. Each on line order received by May 15th will receive an autographed copy. This is a great solution for a practical graduation gift. Visit us today at www.makeyourbestimpression.com.

Personal Excellence Magazine - Dallas on the Cover

Personal Excellence Magazine is a must read for anyone looking for continual growth and development. As we all work toward our goals, we need some helpful tips and advice and this is just the publication to help you with a monthly dose of inspiration. Thrilled to be added to this group of thought leaders, I highly recommend it as a professional investment in your future success.

Visit my website and order your copy today!

Meetings at Risk means Business is at Risk ... The Cost Avoidance Issue- It’s Time to Dance

You have heard the statements like, “Our business is based on the power of relationships”. Statements like these have never been more tested than during this current economic climate. With daily news of efforts to ban travel and meetings, which will further cripple the economy, it is now time that we extend our dance card.

As the third largest industry in the United States, the effort to label conventions and meetings as frivolous spending is irresponsible. This mindset is creating an environment of panic when what we need to do is search ourselves and get the core of why meeting and events are so vitality important in today’s economy.


Although we all come from different facets of the hospitality industry -together we more powerful- this attack has evoked an effort to speak in one voice. Following September 11, 2001 our national emotional fear of travel caused organizations to postpone or cancel their meetings. This was a result of an outward attack on our nation. Today we are allowing our own created fear to paralyze us from thinking with a rational mind.

Are we going to allow this to defeat us or stand behind our statements that relationships are the backbone or business. These face to face meetings are the foundation to build this bridge regarding of an economic stimulus.

How can you as a meeting planner do your part to stay vigilant during this season? As a National Account Direct with ConferenceDirect, our goal is to be that partner with our clients in good times and bad. We know the power of relationships. This has never been more tested than in today’s economic climate. Understanding your contract and being pro-active is the mark of a savvy professional.

Here are three things to consider:

Know Your Contractual Obligations

If you have meeting that will be taking place between now and the second quarter of 2010, it is time to review your contracts. What are some of the challenges that you might be facing to meet your contractual obligations?


Do Your Research

As a meeting planner you can really show your value to your organization by being prepared and taking action. Don’t wait for someone to tell you that there is a problem. Being a problem solver at this critical time is a great way to recession proof your career. Do your research and create a plan, execute the plan, and finally be sure to relay the results.

Don’t wait until after the Fact

Now is the time to reach out to your host hotel and engage in the dance of dialog to find a solution. At the end of the day, the hotel does not want you to cancel the meeting. By understanding the needs of both parties, you can find a solution that provides you a win-win solution to ride the current economic tsunami. If you wait until you have an issue, the hotel may not be as receptive to being flexible.


It is truly about mutual respect and communication. Doing what is the right for the greater good and looking toward the bigger picture of better days ahead. It is only through working together as hotel partners and meeting planners that we can ride this wave and enjoy the smooth sailing that only comes with relationships built on a strong foundation.

Dallas Teague Snider, CMP is a National Account Director with ConferenceDirect.

How can workers set themselves apart in this new era of layoffs?

We first need to look at history and realize that we have been through recessions before. We are a nation of resilient people; we will get through this recession but what we do today will determine how we bounce back and set the stage for generations to come. As a young nation, this is just another learning curve – but a lesson that we cannot afford to be forgotten. At times like these, it is important that we focus on can be done to move forward.
Even in recessionary times, consumers still purchase goods and services. It is time to reconsider the value you are offering your customer. How do you set yourself apart from the competition.

What I have seen lately are requests to offer some business tools like etiquette and social skills that will not only improve the overall image of the company, but it also offers value to the employees regarding their personal and professional development. One of my clients hired me to offer multiple training dates to provide seminars on office manners and courtesy as well as meeting and greeting. When a company chooses to invest in their employees with skills in these areas, they will see the return on investment in customer satisfaction and retention. This will affect their bottom line because customer service is not an option. Without customers there is NO business.

Five Key Ways Worker set themselves apart.

1. Be Essential- Now is the time to be sure to arrive early ( at the very least on time) and stay late if needed. Ask others in your department if you can be of assistance. Finish your projects in a timely and efficient manner. Make sure you are the one person that the boss would hate to lose.
2. Be Seen- This is the time that you want to be visible and demonstrate ambition. Difficult times require companies to seek out and take care of their best people. If possible, determine a way to stand out from the crowd. If you are in sales, what can you do to get your numbers up. Companies will not likely layoff their Star employees.
3. Be Your Best Self- Are you giving 100% while on the job? Do you spend time on personal calls or surfing the internet? Remember that the company time is the company’s time; therefore you need to be fully present while at work. Would you fight to keep you on the job?
4. Be Budget Conscious- Think of new ways to generate revenue or cut cost. You may just have an idea that can save both your job and your company.
5. Be Valuable- Build your skills. Companies can spare employees who skills are obsolete. Consider taking professional development courses to keep your skills up to date and joining professional trade and networking organizations.


Final thoughts:

It all begins with a realistic assessment of our current effort on the job. Are we giving 100% effort to our job? Are we being the one person the boss would hate to lose? If we were told to let go of 10% of the workforce, would we be considered collateral damage. There are some things that we have no control over like the recession; however we can decide if we want to be a part of the solution. Remember the 85% of your success if based on your people and social skills, these are skills we can learn.

My book Professionally Polished, Business Etiquette Savvy for Today’s Competitive Market will be available in March at my website www.makeyourbestipression.com .

Today's Business- Regarding Pricing

There is a value perception that goes with price cutting. People often think that something is of greater value when it is priced higher. I recommend that business owners need to focus on offering more value to their client that is not related to price. There are also options to partner with like businesses to offer a sample of another product or service. For example: If someone ordered a book on line about interviewing skills, that order could also include a special value of a professional pen by another company. The two companies could then share the data of that on-line customer for future prospecting.

There was a speaker that found someone that had a product that complimented his program. He approached that company and when someone ordered the companies product or service, the speaker offered a complimentary 30 day membership to his coaching program. He has had over 60% of those customers continue on with the program. This is an example of a win- win for both organizations. The company was able to offer more value to their client and the speaker gained new customers without increasing his operating expenses. This is also a way to reach a new market segment that the speaker may never have been able to connect with on this own. This is a strategy you can implement today and continue to use tomorrow.

It is important that a company has a web marketing plan as well as a direct marketing approach. It is also important to bring the personal relationship back into the sales process. So often we have lost this personal touch, and now is the time that customer service needs to be a priority. Remember every customer wants to know what is in it for me.

You may consider doing a small survey of their clients to find out what they would like to see. Often our clients will tell us if we will just ask. Offer an incentive to have them fill out the information. It may be an expense, but this is invaluable. Not only are you getting their buying points but they are telling you how to keep their business.

Lastly, I believe that all businesses need to focus on building relationships. They need to join an organization and really spend the time and energy to get to know people and build a reputation of the go to person for their product or service. At the end of the day, people do business with people they like.