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Holiday Safety and Health – From The College of New Jersey

[For more: visit larrylitwin.com]

I received this from TCNJ and am sharing it. Enjoy.

Janice Vermeychuk <vermeyj@tcnj.edu>

Bcc:adjuncts@tcnj.edu

Thu, Nov 18 at 4:15 PM

To the Campus Community:

For many of us, Thanksgiving break will involve travel and/or gatherings with family and friends. Here are six quick tips from the New Jersey Department of Health to help keep you and those around you healthy this holiday season:

  • Consider a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms or are a close contact. Remember, on-campus testing is available both before and after the break.
  • Get vaccinated (or get a booster if eligible).
  • Stay home if you feel sick.
  • Mask up in crowded indoor areas or around high-risk people. Masks are also required in travel hubs and on public transportation regardless of vaccination status.
  • Celebrate with those who are fully vaccinated.
  • Celebrate outdoors when possible.

For additional tips and resources, please see the “Latest Updates” section of our Fall Return website. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community healthy. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Janice Vermeychuk
Director of Student Health Services

[For more: visit larrylitwin.com]

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When Should You Use “Among” vs. “Amongst”?

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

Two words, with two letters’ difference: “among” and “amongst.” But is there really a difference between them in meaning and usage?

The short answer is, no. Both “among” and “amongst” are prepositions used to describe something in the midst of, in the company of, surrounded by, or in association with. For example, “I know that contract is somewhere among this mess.” Or “Mary had one suitor in mind amongst the many clamoring for her attention.”

Does It Matter?

You can use “among” and “amongst” interchangeably, so why do both exist? The big difference is their age. “Among” comes from the Old English word “ongemang,” which combines the words for “in” and “mingling.” “Amongst,” despite its dated sound to modern American ears, is actually a newer term popularized as Middle English took over. “Amongst” appeared with other words such as “against.”

Historical Fiction

Generally speaking, it’s a matter of preference, but one particular use case for “amongst” would be in writing historical fiction. Given the word’s popularity during the Middle Ages, it may feel more at home when spoken by a character using other traditional lingo.

An International Audience

“Amongst” is more popular in England, Canada, and Australia. While Americans will understand “amongst,” it sounds out of place and old-fashioned within the American dialect. “Among” is the preferred choice when writing for an American audience, or for daily content such as news articles, reports, or business communication.

What About “Between”?

While there may not be much of a difference with “among” and “amongst,” there is a contrast compared to fellow preposition “between.” “Among” and “amongst” describe a collective grouping, such as: “The roses bloomed brightly among(st) a sea of green.”

You should use “between” only when highlighting a one-to-one relationship, as in: “The newspaper was wedged between the two passengers on the train.”

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

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How You Can Become More Valuable

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

From Anita Zinsmeister, President – Dale Carnegie® Training of Central & Southern New Jersey – (609) 631-0500

How You Can Become More Valuable Staring Today

·       Word count for this issue: 686

·       Approximate time to read: About 2.7 minutes @ 250 words per minute

The New Year is the perfect time to set personal goals.  Many of us resolve to lose those extra pounds, get back to the gym or work on our financial health; but what about your career?  Is it as “fit” as you would like it to be?

Whether your goal is to climb another rung on the corporate ladder or independently promote your own business, there are strategies you can apply to shape up your professional health in 2015.

Focus On Your Core Strengths

Just as effective marketing is the key to a successful company, marketing yourself is important in advancing your career.  If you are starting a new business, trying to jump-start an old one, or simply looking to move ahead in your current job, start by thinking about what sets you apart. Consider how your “expertise” can benefit your company or your clients.

7 Ways To Make Yourself More Valuable:

1.  Always Appear Confident – When you believe in your abilities, others will too.  It starts with your body language.  Do you walk into an office with your head held high?  When you greet business associates, is your handshake firm and commanding?  Carry yourself with confidence, and others will take notice.

2.  Take On More Responsibility – Doing more than your job requires or asking for additional responsibilities shows that you are eager for a promotion.  But be sure you are ready to work hard.  It may take putting in some extra hours to prove that you are up for the task.

3.  Voice Your Ideas – If you have an idea that may add value to your company, speak up.  The worst your boss can say is, “no.”  But at the very least, it shows that you want to make a contribution.  Similarly, if you have your own business and see a way your client or prospect can be more productive, let them know.  Be sincere (not arrogant), and most people will respect your expert opinion.

4.  Leverage Social Media – Social media is a great way to tell a broad audience about your goods, services, or skills.  Create a Facebook page, a LinkedIn profile, or a Twitter account.  Invite business colleagues and prospects to follow you.  Then regularly post relevant content on topics within your area of expertise.   Posting daily tips or other information keeps your name, and skills, fresh in your audience’s mind.

5.  Blog – Like to write?  Why not start a blog?  Blogging about industry topics that interest you is yet another way to promote your expertise.  Tools such as WordPress make it easy to get started.  If you have a website, be sure to add a link to your posts.

6.  Network – Attending local networking events can also be effective.  When independently promoting yourself, consider offering your services in exchange for goods or services that are useful to you.  This is a great way to get a prospect to sample your work without having to commit to a long-term business relationship.  If your product or performance exceeds expectations, it is likely you’ll gain a new client — and some referrals.

7.  Don’t Forget Your Business Card – In today’s digital world, business cards may seem a bit old fashion.  But they are still one of the most effective marketing tools.  Use your card as a opportunity to promote your business.  Go bold.  Include a catchy tagline.  Add interesting graphics and colors or maybe use an unexpected shape.  Like you, your business card should stand out from the competition.

Executive Summary:  Promoting yourself can be a challenge, especially if you are modest.  But a little self-confidence can go a long way.  Think about your best skills.  Then position yourself as an expert in this area.  If your goal is a promotion, take on more responsibility at work.  Speak up if you have a good idea.  Take advantage of social media, blogging and other online tools to get your name and talents noticed by a broader audience.  Self-promotion may take a little work, but the payoff could be a big career boost in the upcoming year.

Quote of the Week: “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do.  Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.  Try to be better than yourself.”

– William Faulkner 

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

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8 Tips For Generating Repeat Business Post-COVID-19

[Questions: larry@larrylitwin.com]

No matter where you are in your sales cycle post-COVID-19, more and more businesses are looking for ways to help drive repeat business.  Why? Because it represents a huge revenue stream to top-line sales.

According to OutboundEngine.com:

  • Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer.
  • Increasing customer retention by 5% can increase profits from 25% to 95%.
  • The success rate of selling to a customer you already have is 60% to 70%, while the success rate of selling to a new (non-referral) customer is 5% to 20%.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Here are the “8 Tips To Help Generate Repeat Sales”
  1. Use a client’s first name
  2. Make GREAT customer service a priority
  3. Communicate missed deadlines
  4. Train Your Sales Team On Up-Selling And/Or Cross-Selling
  5. Follow Up After An Initial Order Is Placed
  6. Ensure Customer Support Information Is Readily Available
  7. Reduce The Perceived Risk
  8. Assess Your Company’s Performance

Executive Summary:
A happy client is more likely to become a repeat customer. With this in mind, it’s essential to make good customer service a top priority. Remember, if you are not making your clients happy, your competition will be waiting in the wings to do a better job.

[Questions: larry@larrylitwin.com]

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Special Events — Defined

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

Stimulating an interest in a person, product or organization by
means of a focused (noteworthy)“happening.”

Also, activities designed to interact with publics and to listen to them.

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

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How To Better Manage Your Boss (Even When Working Remotely)

From:

Dale Carnegie Training Newsletter
By: Anita Zinsmeister, President
Dale Carnegie Training of Central & Southern New Jersey

For more ask larry@larrylitwin.com

  • Word Count: 481
  • Time To Read: 1.9 Minutes

Everyone has a manager. And whether or not you like him/her, your well-being and career are directly related to a positive relationship.

It Starts By Exceeding Their Expectations.

You first need to determine what outstanding performance looks like in the eyes of your boss. Is it your loyalty, performance, or consistent work? No matter what it is, you need to do this: Exceed their expectations.

5 Simple Ways To Help Manage Your Boss (Even When Working Remotely):

#1: Take Things Off Your Boss’s To-Do List – Find out what your boss doesn’t like to do or has challenges with, and then find a way to do it (or solve it) for them. By adding this kind of value to a relationship and doing it with good intentions, you will be amazed how much it will be appreciated. Another suggestion is this: Ask your boss what they want to “get off their plate” on a given day.

#2: Connect With Your Boss – Your manager, for the most part, won’t be fully committed to you if they can’t trust you; therefore, it is imperative to connect with them. PLEASE, don’t wait for your boss to initiate that relationship, as it may take a lot longer to develop. Great employees are often a champion of their manager – and this, in itself, shows your maturity.

#3: Your Timing And Approach – To help take the lead on a specific project(s), your timing needs to be right – and with the right intentions. Another thing, you must be able to read when your boss is too focused or frustrated (and know when to push or retreat).

#4: Be Cognizant Of Your Boss’s Needs – It is never easy to read your manager’s mind; however, you should understand their top priorities to help spot their needs. For example, if their goal at year-end is to roll out five new products or services, start looking for ways to schedule meetings with a product manager so that things are not waiting to be done at the last minute.

#5: Know Your Organization – There is a high probability your boss is juggling a million things on a given day. Although everyone has deadlines and things that need to get done, it is critical to know how your organization works when it comes to getting things accomplished. By having the insight to manage any roadblocks or issues, you need to position yourself as a trusted resource for your boss.

Executive Summary: At some point over the next seven to ten days, we recommend being more proactive in helping your boss get things done.  Additionally, have a one-on-one call/meeting with your boss to find out what their expectations are of you and how you can exceed them. No matter what, it is OK for your boss to take the credit for a project that they are ultimately responsible for, as it will go a long way in your boss’s mind.

For more ask larry@larrylitwin.com

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What Do A.M. and P.M. Actually Stand For?

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

12-Hour Clock

The 12-hour clock pivots at 12:00 noon, around the time the sun is at its highest point in the sky. According to the 12-hour clock, everything in the day is either before noon (the morning), or after noon (cleverly named the afternoon).

By splitting the 24-hour clock in half, you are doing two counts: how many hours have elapsed before noon, and then how many hours have passed after noon.

In order to differentiate between these two 12-hour counts, we use the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. You might think that b.n. (before noon) and a.n. (after noon) would make more sense, but 17th-century Englishmen opted to use Latin instead.

In Latin, a.m. stands for “ante meridiem.” Translated, this means “before midday.” The counterpart, p.m., stands for “post meridiem,” which, you guessed it, translates to “after midday.” However, the English language likes to borrow and adapt. The word “antemeridian” also means “before noon” and “postmeridian” means “occurring after noon.” These terms have been in use since the mid 17th century.

To further clarify, it was decided that 00:00, the start of the new day, would be known as 12:00 a.m., or midnight. And 12:00, high noon, would be known as 12:00 p.m. — though, to avoid confusion, many prefer to stick with just “midnight” or “noon.”

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

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Technique to Succeed: Business dining: Dos and don’ts

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]

There is much more in Litwin’s The Public relations Practitioner’s Playbook for (all) Strategic Communicators and The ABCs of Strategic Communication. Enjoy.

[From Jim Haney – General Manager – Palm Restaurant – Atlantic City NJ Courier-Post – Monday, April 4, 2005]

Some tips to help make your business dinner successful:

• Have fun, but remain professional.

• Dress appropriately.

• Pick the right restaurant for your affair, making sure the atmosphere fits the tone of your business outing. If you are looking to have a quiet business dinner, and don’t want to be disturbed by other diners, look for a place with private rooms or a very quiet environment.

• Go to a restaurant with which you are familiar. It’s not the best idea to go somewhere that you have never been before.

• Make reservations in advance – not the day of a business dinner. You’re usually safe on the same day during the week, but if you have a larger party you may be out of luck.

Limit the alcohol.

• Order food you like.Don’t order because of someone else.

• Make sure you have enough credit on your credit card if you arepaying thebill.

• Always take care of your server

From Jim Haney – General Manager – Palm Restaurant – Atlantic City NJ Courier-Post – Monday, April 4, 2005

[Questions? larry@larrylitwin.com]