Huh? Midwest?? Oh, not USA, but Malaysia

Surfing other blogs, I found this "Midwest Kitchen" and it put a smile on my face. Naturally, living in Kansas USA, I wanted to know where this restaurant was located. We travel a lot in eastern Kansas, so maybe we can stop by.

Check out the menu ... yum if you are from America and a foreign taste if you are from elsewhere. But you will have to travel to Malaysia to taste the Midwest (USA) cookin'.

Betty's Midwest Kitchen

A Business With a Conscience

Small businesses have an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition by adopting admirable characteristics. What does it take and what does it mean for a company to have a conscience?

First a definition - Wikipedia.org

Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition, or judgment of the intellect that distinguishes right from wrong.

But more than an academic definition, what it can mean to a company is word-of-mouth advertising. Customers will provide references and recommendations, but even a wanna-be client is likely to recommend the company. Recall when you were talking to a group of friends about a new project that you are trying to kick-off and all the friendly advice that comes pouring in to your check-list. Someone will remark, "I just ran across this company that does ... and I think it sounds great ..."

If the company describes itself with a characteristic that hits your heart, soul or intellect, it is remembered. This reference company from Bainbridge Island, Washington makes me want to build a new home -- but right now it is not a financial option. But I would recommend it and when my situation evolves to where I am ready to build, I will check to see how it worked out for you ...

Check out StudioHamlet.com

A diversion from the economy ...

Today was the most incredible day of my fatherhood. My son was a participant in a baseball tryout in Owasso, Oklahoma today. He looks great on a pitcher's mound ... good luck to all the young men who were there today.

There were about 135 baseball players, 40-50 pitchers, 50+ scouts from colleges and the MLB.

The only sad part was that we had to leave our dog at the Pet Ranch for two days while we ventured to Oklahoma and back to Kansas. We can't pick her up until tomorrow morning. Now that we are back at the house, I really miss her. Normally, she would be lying or sitting in the front doorway protecting us from squirrels. We could be eaten alive! I miss her . . .

Make a career of something you like doing

My dad always told my sisters and me to do something we like to do and not worry about trying to do what everyone expected you to do. This referenced clip from YouTube is the brother of a friend who I used to work with at Edify Corporation. He is clearly making a living while doing what he likes to do ... check it out, it is very entertaining. Then search for more Dan Menendez. There is an original clip when he was on the Johnny Carson Show, later on the Jay Leno Show and various bootleg clips of him at various venues.

5 Ways to Use Google for Your Business

This are quick notes that I jotted down when listening to a new clip about using Google web tools to help your business.

1. Google Profiles

   Guaranteed page one of search for your business or name when you fill out a profile.

2. Google Alerts

   Notifications of competitors or rapid response of your business and / or products. If there is a web posting to a blog, twitter, photo tags, etc., Google Alerts will send you a notification that you have been mentioned online.

3. Google Places

   White pages are gone. Map the location of your business. Add your business to Places with profile, coupons, video, etc. pay extra for more.

4. Cloud computing

   Applications and content are stored, managed and made available on servers in the internet (the cloud) and the documents become accessible from anywhere as you travel, share or collaborate.

5. Google Trends

   Reports of what is going on in your industry.

Reference: Steve Straus of USA Today on ABC News Money Matters.

The 4 "D's" of Time Management

I learned this about 25 years ago and it has been committed to memory for life.  I don't always practice the rules, but I always can recite it to young colleagues.

When you are presented with a task, what do you do with that task. Remember, your time is precious and you like to get your work done so you can relax and enjoy other lifestyle activities.

First step that you do is Dump ... like junk mail.  Don't even open the task, just dump it in the trash and say "no." (You might want to shred :)

Second step is Delay ... leave it alone.  If it is important, then you will get a reminder and then you can reevaluate.  Put in the bottom drawer and at the end of the week, check on it and if no one has asked about the task, then you can Dump it (see step one).

Third step is to Delegate ... give it to someone else.  You have more important things to do, besides that other person really wants to do the task.  Practice your leadership and both of you are heros.

Finally, if all else fails, Do ... these are your 'A' tasks that you like to do, you are good at doing and you want the recognition for its completion.  Put it on your task list, get it done and check it off.

That's it ... Dump, Delay, Delegate, Do.