Women With Know How October 2011 Issue

October 2011
What Story is Your Workplace Telling Others? THE REVERSED INTERVIEW: Is this the Employer you want?
Owner Sensibly Chic Interior Design
Barbara Green
Mimi Zelman
PUBLISHER
From the publisher

Dear Readers,
Womens History Month in October every year gives teachers a chance to change students perspectives so that they begin to appreciate womens contributions to history, and as part of that history, womens fight for equality as a powerful social movement. October also celebrates National Business Womens Week October 17- 21 2011 to honor the contributions of working women and employers who support working women and their families. Business and Professional Womens Foundation celebrates National Business Womens Week (NBWW) during the third week of October. National Business Womens Week provides an opportunity to call attention to women entrepreneurs, facilitate discussions on the needs of working women, share information about successful workplace policies, and raise awareness of the resources available for working women in their communities. Metropolitan Business and Professional Women is hosting an event For NBWW on October 20, 2011. Look for the ad in this months issue or visit www.mbpw.org for more info. This event will have more than 100 women attending, so be sure to come out and network with us. This month is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Please join the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte. Together, we will unite with one purpose and one goal - to end breast cancer. Charlotte October 22 - 23 ... - Avon Walk for Breast Cancer: Charlotte www.avonwalk.org/charlotte Last month we featured Wendy Whitehurst, owner of Custom Marketing Solutions and the website listed was incorrect.Please visit the correct one: www.custommarketingsolutionsINC.com
Mimi
Contents
Publisher/President
Mimi L. Zelman
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com Vice President Marketing
4 8 12 14 18 20 22 30 32 34 36
COVER
PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Vicky Bunzy
Wendy Whitehurst
wendy@womenwithknowhow.com Design and Page Production
Small Business Administrations Dynamic Duo Energize Womens Entrepreneur Summit I could kill for a piece of chocolate! Infectious Investment Strategies Amid Downgrades, Downturns and Slowdowns THE REVERSED INTERVIEW: Is this the Employer you want? The 7 Most Common (and Ugly) Misconceptions in Fitness Rigid Roles Can Kill a Relationship What Story is Your Workplace Telling Others? Stay Fresh Throughout Your Day Vampires and Werewolves
Dustin Shores Christina de Castro of eSplash Marketing
Contributing Writers
Mary Elizabeth Murphy Robyn Crigger Amy Whartham April Oliver

Cover Photography by Dustin Shores Photography For more advertising information call Mimi at 704-491-1207 or email her at: Copyright 2011
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
26 Barbara Green
www.womenwithknowhow.com OCTOBER 2011
PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Vickie Bunzey
By Mimi Zelman
How did you get started in this business? It seems like dieting has always been a part of my life. It started as a sophomore in high school when a boy I had a crush on gave me a pinch and told me I was chubby. It devastated me. As a child of the 60s and Twiggy, I did what everyone did. I started cutting things out, counted calories and exercised. I used the calories in/calories out way of dieting for years. There was always something missing though and I would struggle to maintain a weight and always be looking to lose 10 lbs. These 10 lbs increased as I got older. When I was getting close to facing 50, I knew that I did not want to be one of these middle aged women that continually gained 2 to 5 pounds every year and be a round, pudgy woman. I didnt believe that I had to accept that as part of aging. I also didnt believe that I needed to take any kind of pills to gain health. I managed to lose most of the weigh that I wanted by the time I had my 50th birthday but was having a hard time losing the last ten. Not long after turning 50 I was introduced to a nutritional product that turned my way of thinking around. The more I learned, the more I wanted to teach others. I went back to school at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and became a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Once I graduated I turned to what I had struggled with for so many years and wanted to help other women learn that you can lose weight, develop a healthy lifestyle and have it all for life. I partnered with a doctor that I have high respect and had seen as a family practitioner. Together, Dr. Michael Smith and I have created Renew Natural Weight Loss Center. What is your background-what were you doing before this business? Renew Natural Weight Loss is my 3rd career. I have a business and marketing background having worked for Xerox Corporation for 15 years and then I owned a franchise. I opened the first Primrose School in Charlotte and operated the private preschool for 10 years. Although I had careers in the corporate field, I still had time for my passion for health. During my years as a marketing executive for Xerox, I also had a side business. I was a certified aerobic instructor and taught aerobic dance for the City of Seattle and The Seattle Times. My passion for health and fitness has never been far. What is a good early story about your business? Renew Natural Weight Loss is a new business. We officially opened Renew at the end of January, 2011. This past year has been
A year of development and growth. As with any new business, we are working hard to have people get to know us and how we are different. What is unusual or unique about your business, in comparison to your competitors or similar businesses? Getting the community to know us is important. There are many diet centers and as we all know there are thousands of diets. We dont like to call Renew Natural Weight Loss and diet center. We call it a program. We are different in that we focus not only on weight loss but what caused the weight gain in the first place. Our program is designed to help individuals achieve what is most important to them and that is to lose the weight. Our goal is to help them lose the weight and keep it off for life. We want people to break the cycle of yo-yo dieting. We do this through helping individuals identify what food intolerances or allergens they may have and can contribute to their weight gain. We strive to help individuals reach their optimal health and create a lifestyle that fits
Connect and Grow With Women In Our Community
them so that will have sustainability. We focus on real food and how food works in the body. We do not use any drugs, shots, pills or a restricted calorie diet. Is there a customer experience you are most proud of? I do have a client that I am very proud of because I identify with her. She is in her early 60s and wanted to lose 25 lbs. She has a mindset that because of her age that she would never reach her ideal weight again. She began our program and started losing weight. She was so excited when she went under the weight that had always marked her plateau and she would stop losing. Not only did she break through her plateau but she lost another 10 lbs. below it. Through coaching she realized that it was a mindset. She also connected to what food was doing in her body, which foods are triggers for weight
gains, where cravings were coming from and, most importantly, how to sustain her ideal weight. It was easy and enjoyable. She didnt feel like she was missing anything but loved the new discoveries she was making in understanding her own body. She is stunning with her new weight and her self confidence. Do you do any charity or non profit work? We did a community event last February, Lose Weight Matthews, where we supported the Matthews Free Medical Clinic.The event was a community educational event and hosted many health and fitness practitioners in the area. The public was able to come in and check their blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, body composition and learn about better health practices.
Who are some of your most notable clients? We work with a number of women and men. Our typical clients tend to be women between the ages of 30 and 60 and want to lose anywhere from 15 to 75 lbs. on average. We also work with women and men that have health challenges because of weight and desire to not only lose weight but address other health issues such as prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Each individual client will meet with Dr. Smith for a personal consult and review of their blood panel. When we have a higher risk client, Dr. Smith is available to support any medical concerns. What is an interesting story about a client interaction you had? One of the interactions that give me pride is with a corporate client that I worked with over this past winter. The staff had participated in previous wellness programs

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through the hospital and other various sources. There was a mindset of well, here we are again to lose weight just to gain it all back when the program is over. We dont really learn anything. It was a hard sell and not all staff members returned to participate in this years program. The nurse that was promoting our program loved the idea that we had a natural, holistic approach to weight loss and teaching healthy eating practices and a healthy lifestyle. We started out with the normal body composition and setting a weight goal. We then introduced an eating plan that not only facilitated weight loss, but would detoxify the body and set the stage for learning about what foods were doing in the body. Each week we had an educational topic with a holistic approach to creating a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Our discussion topics covered our food sources, exercise, sleep, hormones, stress, healthy living practices and even a cooking class of grains and greens. In a 10 week period the group lost a total of 101 lbs. and a total of 43.7% body fat. The part that really makes me proud is that I continue to get emails from group members telling me about how our wellness program brought them so much awareness and the changes they
have made for a healthier lifestyle. Even though our program ended, they continue to learn and increase their healthy lifestyle practices. I received a call last week to come back for this years wellness program. What are some of your greatest challenges in your business? We are a quick fix society. Everyone wants the magic pill or magic potion to lose weight and fix their health problems. It is challenging to get people to stop and take the time to learn that there is no magic pill or potion. To achieve good health they have to understand what is making them unhealthy. Often times the things that makes us unhealthy are in our normal everyday routinesthe food choices we make, the environment around us, the stress we are under, lifestyle choices that arent that great, medications that we are taking on a daily basis..the list can be pretty long. If we truly want to be healthy, we have to know and understand our body. We have to give our body the right tools to achieve good health. What would you most like our readers to know about your journey in business? I love what I am doing. There
is a great need to educate and help people take control of their choices. When you stop and think about the fact that 1 in 3 Americans are now obese, there is a lot of work to be done. I hope to be able to leave an imprint that has helped our community become a healthier population. I dont want to be a quick fix and see you again in a year or two. I want to help create lifestyles that enable people to feel and be as young as they are in their minds eye. I want people to thrive and that the only trip to the doctor is to confirm that they are healthier than they have ever been and do not need meds to get through a day. Thats what I have achieved for myself so I know that others can achieve it too. W
Vickie Bunzey
Certified Holistic Health Coach Director, Renew Weight Loss www.RenewWeightLoss.com www.YourBalancedHealthstyle.com www.SimpleWholeFoodNutrition.com 704-708-4437 704-995-1951 Cell
www.womenwithknowhow.com AUGUST 2011
BUSINESS
Small Business Administrations
Dynamic Duo
By Vilma Betencourt- ODay
Energize Womens Entrepreneur Summit

Knowledge is power. In my humble opinion, this summit succeeded at engaging, educating and empowering the business women that attended and participated in the very lively discussions that took place. It was an excellent idea to have the open-style facilitated roundtables where the attendees had an opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences and opinions. The moderator at each table was a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners/Charlotte, a sponsor of the event. At our table we were fortunate to have Elizabeth Miller as our moderator. Ms. Miller has dedicated many years to helping women business owners; she also certifies businesses owned by women as a Women Business Enterprise for the National Women Business Owners Corporation, a third party certifier approved by the Small Business Administration. Topics that were discussed during the roundtable session were: The Missing Middle, Start-ups, Contracting, Access to Capital and the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program. One of the participants at our table falls under the Missing Middle entrepreneur and she shared with us her frustrations and challenges of being ready to grow her business but not knowing what
Please be responsible for the energy that you bring into this room, reads a sign created for Jill Bolte Taylor that she mentions in her book My Stroke of Insight. As I entered the meeting room at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Charlotte branch, I felt the remarkable energy radiated by the speakers and moderators Ana Recio Harvey and her assistant, Erin Andrew, of the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) Office of Women Business Ownership (OWBO). Ms. Harvey serves as the Director of the SBAs OWBO and oversees the agencys efforts to promote the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that provide business training and counseling and access to credit and capital. In addition, she is a Council Designee for the White House Council on Women and Girls. The featured panelists were Dr. Sherry Jarrell, Professor of Finance & Economics at Wake Forest University, Sherrie Aycock, Co-CEO of AllPoints Research, Memuna Williams of AvantGarde Translations, and Heidi Whitesell, Community Bank of Rowan. They shared their wisdom and experiences with the audience. Topics ranged from corporate loans and lines of credit to Governor Beverly Perdues Setting Government Straight initiative.
the next steps should be. She has witnessed a competitor who recently went out of business after remodeling the studio where his business was located his business was growing and he felt compelled to increase and beautify the studio but apparently did not plan appropriately for all the necessary steps. We discussed the importance of having an advisory board which should include your CPA, business lawyer, insurance agent, banker, business consultants and industry experts. Having access to business workshops, summits, seminars and courses to be held at local colleges and/or universities was discussed with representatives from the Wake Forest University School of Business. In January of 2012 Wake Forest will be relocating their Charlotte campus to Uptown, where they will occupy nearly 30,000 square feet of space in the former International Trade Center building located at 200 North College Street. Wake Forest University School of Business was also a sponsor of this event.
Many felt that the Federal Government is not doing enough to help women business owners in educating them on how to start, manage and/or grow their businesses, contracting, and business loans. Again, knowledge is power, but YOU MUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
Lynn Douthett, District Director of SBAs North Carolina District Office, gave everyone in the room her office phone number and business email address so that they can contact her directly with any questions or concerns that they may have. Ms. Douthett has a strong team of qualified professionals that are always ready to guide any business owner that contacts the SBA, which is located in the South Park area. Within the SBA office are members of SCORE, comprising of entrepreneurs, business leaders and executives, some which are retired, and volunteer as mentors to small businesses. Also, a Womens Business Ownership Representative is available to assist all women business owners in the Charlotte area. You may contact April Gonzalez at 704-344-6811 After the roundtable sessions, we went around or email her at april.gonzalez@sba.gov all you the room and each moderator spoke about the various issues, challenges and solutions proposed have to do is ask! by the participants at their respective roundtable.
Where should you start your homework assignment? I would suggest by first visiting the SBA North Carolina website (www.sba.gov/nc), familiarize yourself with its content. When you are ready to explore the educational training, choose the tab for Counseling & Training: www.sba.gov/ category/navigation-structure/counseling-training and follow the links under the heading: Online Small Business Training: Starting a Business, Managing a Business, Financing a Business, Contracting or Other Featured Training. These online courses are free and are available 24/7. How easy is that? For more information pertaining to the WomenOwned Small Business Federal Contract Program visit: www.sba.gov/wosb - on this web page you will find WOSB Program Information, Eligibility Requirements, 5 Steps to Participate in the WOSB Program, WOSB Program Repository, where to call if you have questions about the program, links
to local SBA resources (Small Business District Office, Womens Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers). If you are interested in becoming a Federal Contractor and want to explore the advantages of the WOSB program, please take the course Winning Federal Contracts: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs it will take about 30 minutes. (http://web.sba.gov/sbtn/registration/index. cfm?CourseId=68) As for Third Party Certifiers whose WBE Certifications are approved by the SBA, they are: National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC), US Womens Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Our appreciation for the invitation to this invigorating event goes to Lynn Douthett and her team at the SBA/NC, Tammie Hoy and her team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Charlotte branch, Wake Forest University School of Business, NAWBO Charlotte, VISA and SCORE. W
Vilma Betancourt-ODay
Women Wrule 803.517.4030 vilmaoday@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/vilmabetancourtodaywomenwrule
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www.womenwithknowhow.com SEPTEMBER 2011
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WELLNESS
I could kill for a piece of chocolate!

By Vickie Bunzey
If you have never had a craving for chocolate, potato chips or something that you know is not the best thing for you, you are a very unusual woman. We crave for many reasons and the key to
after eating. It should stay away for several hours. If you have no hunger pains, it most likely means your body is not ready for a meal. The moment you think you are hungry, trying drinking water or seltzer. The reason for this is that you may simply be thirsty and think you are hungry. This happens a lot. When you drink water, seltzer or even tea, this will fill you up some and will most likely buy you the time until your next full meal. Most of us are dehydrated and need more water. 8 to 10 glasses per day minimum are needed a day. Emotional eating is usually triggered by dissatisfaction in some area of your life. Before you eat, try to pinpoint the reason. If it is indeed stemming from boredom, stress over something, being uninspired by your job or routine, you need to distract yourself with an alternate plan other than eating.
breaking those cravings is understanding where the craving is coming from.
The body is an amazing source of intelligence. It is always there for you, pumping blood, never skipping a heartbeat, digesting whatever food you put in it and maintaining homeostasis. Is this reliable, intelligent bio-computer making a mistake by craving ice cream or a hamburger or chocolate? Are cravings due to lack of will-power or discipline? Id like to suggest that cravings are not a problem. They are critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs. The important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave. Perhaps your diet is too restrictive or devoid of essential nutrients. Perhaps you are living a lifestyle that is too boring or stressful. Your body tries to correct the imbalance by sending you a message: a craving. Here is the low down on the 8 primary causes of cravings.
Lifestyle
Sleep deprivation
Dehydration Before you start to eat, ask yourself if you are really hungry. Most of the time you will find there you are bored and not really hungry at all. The first step to fighting cravings is to find out if they are actually warranted. If your stomach is actually growling, this is a physiological change and should go away
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All of us super women run on little sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to appetite issues. Studies show this to be true when hormonal imbalances occur when a body is not well rested. Logically we tend to eat thinking that we can eat for energy to overcompensate for our lack of sleep. This is why choosing the right foods is so important and why we need to eat healthy foods that feed our body for energy rather than processed foods that give us a temporary energy boost. Ideally our body needs 8 hours of sleep per day. Yes, it is true.
Move your Body.
It is as important as getting a good nights sleep. We often confuse boredom and hunger so it is a good thing to stay busy and keep water and nutrients in the body throughout the day.
Exercise even 30 minutes a day will keep your cardiovascular health intact, improve your sleep, reduce stress, strengthen bones and reduce fat. It is a win win.
Hormones Who doesnt know this one? During that time of the month, pregnancy, peri-menopause or menopause there is always something hormonal going on. If you think about it, as women, this is our whole life. Unusual cravings can and do hit us, but they can be controlled or eliminated by food and lifestyle choices. Ying/Yang Imbalance
Foods have a balance that affects how our body responds. Yin qualities of food are expansive and yang or contractive. When you eat too much of one of the other, your body craves the opposite trying to rebalance itself. An example is if you eat too much sugar (yin) your body may crave meat (yang).
No book or theory can tell you what to eat. Only awareness of your body and its needs can tell you. Of all the relationships in our lives, the one with our body is the most essential. It takes communication, love and time to cultivate a relationship with your body. As you learn to decipher and respond to your bodys cravings, you will create a deep and lasting level of health and balance. The next time you have a craving, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of a weakness. Try these tips to respond to your body: Have a glass of water and wait 10 minutes. Eat a healthier version of what you crave. For example, if you crave sweets, try eating more fruit and sweet or root vegetables. What is out of balance in your life? Is there something you need to express, or is something being repressed? What happened in your life just before you had this craving? When you eat the food you are craving, enjoy it, taste it, savor it; notice its effect. Then you will become more aware and free to decide if you really want it next time. W For more nutritional and weight loss information, Vickie may be contacted through at 704-995-1951. www.YourBalancedHealthstyle; www.RenewWeightLoss.com
Seasonal or Moms Cooking When seasons change, our bodies may start to crave elements of the season. Like in the fall, you may want more soups, hot foods, squash, meats. This is quite natural as your body wants more warming foods that ground you. In the spring you may crave ice cream or citrus or greensthese are cooling and detoxifying foods that are available naturally after a long winter of heavier foods. This can also trigger foods that we grew up with or foods we associate with holidays like Thanksgiving. All very natural, but it is important to learn to listen to your body, achieve balance and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Lack of Nutrients
This is probably more common than we realize. If we are not getting adequate nutrition our body is going to tell us. It may be screaming for more energy and we give it caffeine when what it really wants is real food. We may have a day where we are eating more processed or refined foods.fast food, white foods, sugar loaded.and we dont really realize it. The problem with not eating nutrient rich whole food is that our body doesnt feel like we have fed it. It is still empty of nutrition even if we ate. You can eat nothing but calories and very little in nutrition. Our body is still saying feed me. This is when things are going well, on top of the world and you reward yourself by overdoing something. By overdoing you throw your body off balance. To bring balance back you may have low blood sugar, more eating, or mood swings, more eating.
Vickie Bunzey
Certified Holistic Health Coach Director, Renew Weight Loss www.RenewWeightLoss.com www.YourBalancedHealthstyle.com www.SimpleWholeFoodNutrition.com 704-708-4437 704-995-1951 Cell
Celebration Cravings
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CAREER
Infectious
By Amy Wartham
Director of Corporate Training
Have you ever heard of Ignaz Semmelweiss? I had a biology teacher in
college that talked about this guy and for whatever reason, his name has always stuck in my brain. Semmelweis was a doctor who worked in Vienna during the mid-1800s. His patients kept getting sicker. Then, after returning from a long trip, he discovered that his patients had gotten better. It appeared that he was making his patients sick! Specifically, Semmelweis discovered his research with cadavers was transmitting particles that were making people sick. This was the precursor to germ theory and a major step in understanding the connection between cleanliness and health. In a lot of ways, we are each like Semmelweis when it comes to our attitude at work. We project particles that impact everyone we work with. We can either make people sick or make them feel better. Everything about your demeanor (verbal, nonverbal, smiling, not smiling, handshake, saying good morning, etc.) impacts others in the workplace. There are all kinds of germs that we can unknowingly pass onto others. Weve all seen the funny cartoons that poke fun at the depressing things that can take place at work. We laugh, shake our heads and think to
ourselves how true that is at our workplace. You can choose to make your environment the kind of place you want to be. Im not suggesting that you waltz in every morning like Mary Poppins singing A spoon full of sugar helps make the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down. However, here are some suggestions for creating a more positive work environment.
Smile More.
It takes fewer muscles to smile than frown. When you smile, its like opening a window of sunshine. It just makes others feel better and chances are theyll smile back at you. If nothing else, it makes others wonder what youre up to.
Say Please and Thank You. My momma
use to say A please and thank you go a long way. This is so true. Instead of just barking orders , throw a please in there. If someone has done something for you, say thank you. It doesnt cost a thing and the person walks away feeling appreciated.
nication is one of the key reasons for conflict in
Understand your communication style and the style of others. Commu-
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the workplace. By gaining a better understanding of your preferred communication style as well as the others on your team, you can build a better communication system. This impacts your relationship with others and down the road can ultimately impact productivity as well. (Check out UNC Charlottes Communication Strategies oneday class.) In addition, communicate positively and openly with others. This will make others feel valued and respected. Its through open communication that each member of the work group understands how they fit into the unit and how they impact where it is going.
better a little at a time. Make a concerted effort to bring your positive attitude to work every day. When things get tough, remember to breathe and look for the positive in every situation.
Give Recognition and Appreciation. Whenever you can, catch
people being good and make sure they and others know about it. Give recognition and appreciation to everyone at every opportunity and make it as personal and specific as possible. This kind of feedback is priceless.
Build a team approach. One of our basic

human needs is to feel we belong to something bigger than ourselves, and for many people that need is met by being part of a supportive work group. This unity will help your team members feel appreciated and that they belong. As a result they will want to be at work, tardiness and absenteeism will be minimal, your team will function smoothly and your unit will be better able to carry out the missions and goals of your organization.
Provide a Positive Physical Environment. If at all possible insure that
the physical environment on your workplace is clean, bright, attractive and cheerful. Make sure
Improve motivation for yourself and others. If you
have a positive attitude about achieving goals and success in general, you will be much more motivated to take action. If you look at what you would like to accomplish and you see only the obstacles, your motivation diminishes pretty quickly. Ask yourself what might spur you to action. Create goals in smaller chunks that can be easily achieved. This will keep you on track and motivated to keep moving.
I love this saying! It says it all. You have to give 110% of yourself every day. Not every work environment is ideal but you can change it and make it
Go big or go home.
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it has as much natural light as possible, and that each staff member has room for their own personal space. I have to admit working at the University and dealing with the State-issued antique white can sometimes be a bit of a bummer. Have Fun. Everyone wants to be where people are having fun, so make your workplace feel happy and festive. Find reasons to celebrate together, such as birthdays, birth of a baby or grandchild, moving into a new house, etc., and having small parties to celebrate these events. Ask your employees what would be fun for them and then implement what is feasible. Positive attitudes are contagious. Be the Ignaz Semmelweiss of your organization and spread your positive attitude with others and build a more positive work environment. W
Amy Wartham
Director of Corporate Training UNC Charlotte Extended Academic Programs 8701 Mallard Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28262 Office: 704-687-8723 Cell: 704-345-8253 awartham@uncc.edu http://continuinged.uncc.edu/corporate
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FINANCE
CFP CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
By April M. Oliver
Investment Strategies Amid Downgrades, Downturns and Slowdowns

other legislation designed to give the economy a boost.
Investors are being forced to cope with what many perceive as unprecedented circumstances in the economic and political environment. At the
same time that the U.S. economic recovery appears to be slowing, one independent agency downgraded its rating on debt issued by the U.S. Treasury. Confidence that government policymakers can do anything significant to help improve the environment is low. These and other concerns are contributing to a sense of unease for many investors. How should the major events occurring in the global environment affect your personal portfolio strategy?
Here are five realities to give you an appropriate perspective on the challenges that lie ahead:
#2 The economy is being tested, but a repeat of 2008 is not inevitable.
#1 The downgrade may be justified, but might have been premature.
Standard & Poors shifted the nations credit rating from AAA to AA+. Part of their rationale appeared to center around concerns that a dysfunctional political environment will prevent budget issues from being resolved in an effective manner. However, history is filled with examples of how American politicians have forged deals to resolve crises. It may not be fair to discount the potential that policymakers will come to agreement not just on budget issues, but
Recent memory can have a significant impact on investor behavior. The financial crisis that put the global economy on the brink in the fall of 2008 (and contributed to a 50 percent+ drop in the value of the S&P 500 stock index) remains etched in most of our memories. Fears have been raised that we may be facing a similar situation this year spurred on in part by the problems many governments (Greece, Ireland and Spain to name a few) are facing with their own debt issues. But it is not a foregone conclusion that were headed for the same result as three years ago. Circumstances are different today. For instance, many of the economic problems in the last downturn were related to the housing market bubble and excessive consumer debt. Today, housing prices are dramatically lower and consumers have begun to wind down their debt. There are other challenges facing the economy today, but a double-dip recession in the U.S. is far from certain.
#3 Good news is often hidden
In periods like these when troubling news leads the headlines, investors are often surprised when markets perform well. This is due to the fact that some
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market observers are looking beyond the headlines to see other trends that are favorable. The same is true in todays environment. Corporate profits remain strong and companies in the U.S. and elsewhere generally have solid balance sheets. Emerging markets are growing robustly and will likely help spur ongoing economic activity in other parts of the world, including the U.S. Prices for gasoline have moderated in recent weeks, boosting consumer purchasing power. Even in difficult times, seeds of future prosperity are planted.
may change as market or other conditions change. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances. The Standard & Poors 500 Index (S&P 500 Index), an unmanaged index of common stocks, is frequently used as a general measure of market performance. The index reflects reinvestment of all distributions and changes in market prices, but excludes brokerage commissions or other fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. International investing involves increased risk and volatility due to potential political and economic instability, currency fluctuations, and differences in financial reporting and accounting standards and oversight. Risks are particularly significant in emerging markets. There are risks associated with fixed income investments, including credit risk, interest rate risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longerterm securities. Investment products, including shares of mutual funds, are not federally or FDIC-insured, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Diversification helps you spread risk throughout your portfolio, so investments that do poorly may be balanced by others that do relatively better. Diversification does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.
#4 Stocks may offer more attractive value than bonds
Many individuals have been pulling money out of the stock market and investing in bonds (or bond funds). Yet with interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities near their historic lows there appears to be limited upside. Worse yet, bonds paying extremely low interest rates can be risky for investors. If interest rates begin to rise, bondholders could be in for a negative surprise. Thats because bond prices decline when interest rates rise. Stock values, meanwhile, remain well below the peak they reached in the fall of 2007 before the dramatic, 50 percent downturn occurred. At that time, the S&P 500 Index topped out at 1,565. Today the S&P 500 is 20 percent to 25 percent below that all-time peak. This indicates that upside potential remains over the long run, though the market will likely continue to suffer through ups and downs along the way.
#5 Market gyrations should not overtake your investment strategy
Are you a long-term investor? Most everybody should be, at least with a portion of his or her portfolio. Even if you are retired or close to it, you may need to invest some of your money in stocks to help meet increasing income needs over the course of what could be a long retirement. If you are uneasy with your current asset mix, it is worthwhile to review your holdings and determine if there is a more appropriate solution for your circumstances. Keep well diversified, and avoid putting too much of your money into a single asset or asset class to limit the risk of a dramatic change in its price. Dont let todays headlines overwhelm your investment decision process. W The views expressed here reflect the views of Ameriprise Financial as of September, 2011. These views
April Oliver, CFP CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of CA, CO, FL, IA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA.
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BUSINESS
THE REVERSED INTERVIEW: Is this the Employer you want?

By Robyn Crigger, CEO
Compass Career Management Solutions OI Partners Inc.
the unemployment numbers refuse to decline. Though one company may mention hiring 100300 people, then a bank or large firm announces the reduction of thousands of employees! How discouraging! So how does a job seeker locate and secure a position with their ideal employer?
The economy and business community seem to be on a roller coaster ride that sees no end in sight. In the Charlotte area
about a companys business practices, how they value and treat their employees, as well as how proactive they are in business, etc. Even if
The relationship
between an employee and employer should ideally be a win-win.
that company has no openings at the time you are looking, work on building a rapport with key people in the company. Politely request that you stay in touch and continue watching what your target companies are doing. (Note that you should carefully select as many prospective employers that meet your criteria, and not put all your eggs in one basket.) I know you need a job, so only you can decide when to accept an offer. When you do have the opportunity to be considered for a position with one of your target em-
With so many in the job market, not only is it competitive with talented and experienced job candidates everywhere, but the job openings are a mixed bag. When counseling a job search candidate, one of my goals is to try and help that candidate match up with the best fitting employer. If the job and candidates skills, passion and experience match, that is the first important qualifier. Of course, it is also critical that employer possesses the culture, work environment and integrity match to the candidates personality and character. The goal for both the employer and job candidate should be to be a match in as many ways as possible. Therefore, it is important for job search candidates to research companies and learn as much
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ployers, be sure to have a list of priorities that you are seeking from your employer (within reason, of course). Be sensitive to the fact that the employer wants to make sure to hire an employee, who can be an asset to the company. In turn, you can inquire how the employer plans to invest in your growth and potential. The relationship between an employee and employer should ideally be a winwin. Consequently, when being interviewed for a position, keep in mind that you are interviewing the employer as well. You might tactfully relay your hopes for a mutual supportive relationship. There are a lot of very good employers in our metro. Dont make your target list too limited, but be sure to research any employer thoroughly. When possible, try to connect with current employees to see that perspective. W
Robyn A. Crigger, CEO/Owner
OI Partners Inc.-Compass Career Management Solutions www.compasscareer.com VISIT ROBYNS BLOG -http://transitionalbusinessconcerns.blogspot.com 704) 849-2500; FAX (704) 845-2420
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WELLNESS
The 7 Most Common (and Ugly) Misconceptions in Fitness

By Sunny Ayala
As a personal trainer and life coach, I see many people frustrated with the lack of results they see in their fitness efforts. I eat right, I work out, but I cant lose
weight! Its not uncommon to see people who have literally tried everything from the cayenne pepper cleanse to the grapefruit and lettuce diet to the runin-90 degree heat-in a garbage bag-workout. While it may be surprising to them why theyre not losing weight, its not surprising to me. In fact, Id be surprised if it worked. possible. Im amazed everyday at how many people I come across who believe that a calorie in and of itself is something to be feared or avoided. Calories are our friends. They fuel our brains and our bodies. We need them to live and they are a wonderful measure of energy. We need to understand them. We need to identify the different kinds. Then, its a beautiful relationship.
Myth #6
The media and the internet have done some great things to feed misconceptions about diet and exercise to our culture. There are so many philosophies out there that are pumped into us everyday, its hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Some of us have adopted entirely outrageous behaviors believing that they will help us meet our weight loss/management goals. Even the sound doctrines of diet like, eat less and workout more are not always the right thing for an individual to do to lose weight. Everyones body responds and performs differently. However, there are a few standards that are simply wrong for all of us. Id like to expose 7 of the most common and downright ugly misconceptions that I come across in my business. As you read the list, ask yourself if youve bought into any of these, or if there is some variation or spin that youve believed.
If it says diet, it must be healthy. Most foods that say diet can be even more harmful than foods that dont. Artificial sweeteners are used in many foods to reduce sugar, carb and calorie count, and many times sodium and other preservatives are added to make up for lost flavor. Be sure to read labels and find out why its diet. If theyve added these other things or strings of words you cant pronounce, this diet is not a good one.
Myth #5
Myth # 7
Calories are bad. I need to keep them as low as
Working out two hours a day will be better for me in reaching my goals than one hour a day. The old addage if one is good then two is better does not necessarily apply here. Our bodies are amazing machines. They program themselves based on our habits. So when you begin to work out twice a day (or two hours a day) then your body begins to think that is normal. Therefore when you begin cutting your workouts down to one hour a day; which is more sustainable in the long haul, your body thinks you have slacked off. You can begin to gain weight again because your body has already adjusted to twice the amount of exercise. Keep in mind a new addage, if
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you cant do it forever, dont do it for now. That will help keep your body on the road of consistency and health for the road ahead.
Myth # 1
Myth #4
I dont get a good workout if I dont sweat. True, that sweating can be a very healthy experience while working out. It cools the body down, releases toxins, and cleanses pores. However, you dont have to be sweating to give your body a great workout. Sometimes keeping the heart rate lower is more appropriate for your specific goals. This may not allow your body to feel the need to sweat, and thats okay. Judge the quality of your workout more on accomplishment of fat burn, flexibility and strength improvement, cardio vascular endurance, and a set up for injury prevention instead of on how soaked your t-shirt gets.
Myth #3
I need to wait until next month when things slow down to start my healthy habits.(Or worse yet, I need to wait until New Years!) Many people feel the need to start fresh at the beginning of the week, the month, or even the year in order to really be successful. This is extremely counter productive no matter how much it makes sense to your personality. The very best time to start making good, healthy decisions is right now. This very moment. Your next decision about what you eat, what you drink, or how you move is the most opportune time youll ever have. It doesnt have to be a huge, life altering decision. You dont have to run out and get a gym membership, or throw out all your chips and cookies tonight. It can be as little as taking 5 deep breaths right now and getting some water. Simple, daily, moderate decisions that promote health are the best thing you can do for yourself. So go ahead, make your next decision about your health right now - and enjoy!! W
I cant walk or jog because I get shin splints. So many people shy away from the healthiest activities due to a burning in their calves and shins. This is not fatal, nor is it irreversible. Simple stretching and strengthening exercises can be done to reduce and eliminate the discomfort of shin splints. There are easy and basic moves I call the alphabet that you can do daily that will have you walking or jogging within a week, pain free. Dont let this be a road block to your health.
Sunny Ayala
Owner of Fitness Instruction Today 8041 Corporate Center Drive Suite 100 Charlotte, North Carolina 28277 www.fitnessinstuctiontoday.com ayalasigns@aol.com Phone: (704) 763-5662
Myth #2
I need to lose weight. Weight is one form of measurement pertaining to health, but its not the only one. Nor is it the best one for the goals of most of us. Somewhere we adopted the idea that the scale told us if we were doing well or not - healthy or not - fit or not. The truth is, there are other methods for gauging your fitness success such as body fat percentage, cardio vascular endurance, triglyceride count, etc. Weight can fluctuate multiple times daily. One woman can weigh 150 pounds and have 25% body fat while another woman the same height and age can weigh 135 pounds and have a 35% body fat. I would take the lower body fat ten times over the lighter weight. Try to remember when you jump on the scale that it is one form of measurement, and one of the more fickle. Dont let your emotions or your enthusiasm for improving your health take the same ride as your body weight can take.
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3 Essential Questions for Professional Women

How are you on waiting? Do you adhere to the old adage all good things come to those who wait.
Overnight success is a myth. Or perhaps I should say sustained overnight success is a myth! Its possible to get your 15 minutes of fame by winning a contest but look a bit deeper and youll probably find that they have been battling away for ages. And if they havent they rarely last the course. Its important to have substance, to earn respect.
to change too. Dont fall prey to your own version of
femageism. Well all be working longer so make
Your Career Plan Please do share your own stories of career planning or otherwise. If you have one is it helping? If not, why not?
sure you love what you do!) If you want to get ahead, I recommend you think about a career plan: planning doesnt mean you cant be spontaneous or that you get stuck in a groove. It does mean that if you know where you are ultimately headed youll make better decisions along the route to ensure you get there!
Jane C. Woods
Changing People jane@changingpeople.co.uk http://www.changingpeople.co.uk/
Dont Wait Too Long
But some women wait too long! Yes, you need experience, knowledge, skills and talent but you dont need to be perfect (see Qualifications Dont Work www.changingpeople.co.uk/2011/qualifications-dontwork/). So take a few minutes now to reflect on your career to date. How long have you stayed in a job before considering your next move? Do you know what your next move is? Or could be? Plot your career path since leaving education. Write down each job youve had on a time line youve had and make a note when you started thinking about your next.
What prompted each move? Were you reactive or did you plan it? Do you have an end target on that time line?
Maybe Director by 30? Own company by 50? (If you read that and thought, 50? Thats too old, think again! I successfully changed career in my late 40s plus the population is ageing and our attitudes have
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Keeping Yourself Safe

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved ones life. In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1 2 3 4
Tip fromTae Kwon Do: The elbowis the strongest point on your body.If you are close enough to use it,do!
Learned this from a tourist guide.If a robber asksfor your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you...Chances arethat he is more interested in your wallet and/or pursethan you, and he will gofor the wallet/purse.RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! If you are ever throwninto the trunk of a car,kick out the back tail lightsand stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy..The driver wont see you,but everybody else will.This has saved lives. Women have a tendencyto get into their cars after shopping,eating, working, etc.,and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.DONT DO THIS!) The predatorwill be watching you,and this is the perfect opportunityfor him to get in on the passenger side,put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE..If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything,wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person isin the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is betterthan having themfind your body in a remote location. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.)Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. B.)If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vanswhile the women are attemptingto get into their cars. C.)Look at the car parked on the drivers sideof your vehicle, and the passenger side..If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car,you may want to walk back into the mall, or work,and get a guard/policemanto walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6 7 8 9
ALWAYStake the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible placesto be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you(a running target) 4 in 100 times;and even then, it most likelyWILL NOTbe a vital organ. RUN,Preferably in a zig -zag pattern! As women,we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped,or killed. Ted Bundy,the serial killer,was a good-looking, well educated man,who ALWAYS played on the sympathiesof unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane,or a limp,and often askedfor helpinto his vehicleor with his vehicle, which is when he abductedhis next victim. Another Safety Point: Someone just told methat her friend heard a crying baby on her porchthe night before last, and she called the policebecause it was late and she thought it was weird..The police told her Whatever you do,DO NOT open the door.. The ladythen said thatit sounded like the baby had crawled near a window,and she was worried that it would crawlto the streetand get run over. The policeman said,We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do,DO NOT open the door. He told her that they thinka serial killer has a babys cry recordedand uses it to coax women out of their homesthinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it, but have had several callsby women saying that they hear babys criesoutside their doors when theyre home aloneat night.
Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors! The Crying Baby Theorywas mentioned on America s Most Wantedwhen they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana
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www.womenwithknowhow.com SEPTEMBER 2011
15
COVER
Sensibly Chic...
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Barbara Green
By Mimi Zelman
Some people think of Pretty in Pink as a movie. When I think of it, Barbara Green comes to my mind.
Pink is her signature color, and she wears it so well! I first met Barbara when she spoke at an E Women event in Mint Hill, just as I was starting Women With Know How. We reconnected this year, as both of us are in The 50 most influential in Charlotte by the Mecklenburg Times. Barbara is a woman who has a lot of courage and has had to overcome being abused by her ex-husband and surviving cancer. Barbara has been a designer 20 years and has designed spaces for commercial and residential clients. When the economy tanked, Sensibly Chic flourished, seeing a 260 percent growth in revenues and a 300 percent jump in client base. How did you get started in the design field? I went to college to be a professional flute player, but learned quickly that my chosen career path was not conducive to marriage or motherhood. Neighbors had always complimented me on my decorating skills and sought my assistance with their homes. I went back to school to expand my knowledge, and opened my own design firm so that I can work my schedule around my children. What is unusual or unique about your business, in comparison to your competitors or similar businesses? What is unique about my business is once I sell
something to one client, I never sell it to another client. Whether it is a piece of furniture, a fabric, a lamp, or anything else, it will never be repeated in another design. My philosophy for this is if a client is going to hire me, they should receive a one of a kind interior that is reflective of their family, lifestyle, and budget. Another difference is my ability to create interiors in all manners of style, whether contemporary, traditional, or anything in between. The homes and offices I create do not have a signature style that people will recognize as soon as they walk in. The desired reaction is this is so you! not Oh, I can tell Barbara Green did this. What are some of your greatest challenges in your business? The greatest challenge right now is on the supply side. Before the recession, I could call an order into any supplier and receive it within a week. Now companies have reduced what they keep in stock, and very often do not order it from the manufacturer until they receive an order. This puts many items on backorder, and delays the entire design process. Clients are excited when they place their orders, and I hate having to go back to them and tell them about delays. What are some interesting statistics about your business? Sensibly Chic Interior Design has designed commercial and residential interiors in 17 states over the past 20 years. After the market decline
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in 2008, many designers went out of business, while I was able to increase my clientele 300%, although each clients order was slightly smaller than pre-2008 figures. What would you most like our readers to know about your journey in business? In life? My philosophy in both business and life is that it is important to maintain a positive attitude through all the challenges you face. Every day may not be good, but there is good to be found in every day. I have always believed that God doesnt give you more than you can handle, and I wish he didnt trust me so much! An attitude of gratitude has seen me through cancer, divorce, death of loved ones, and single parenthood to two daughters. If that doesnt break me, nothing will! Who would you describe as your mentor(s) and why?My mentor was my brother, Eric Knapp. He was the most savvy business person I knew and could sell ice to an Eskimo. He
taught me the importance of building relationships with people, rather than selling them. He taught me that the harder I work, the luckier Ill get. Sadly, he passed away from cancer 2 years ago, so I only have prayer as a way to contact him. I miss him everyday, but look to his life and death, and how he handled it all for inspiration. Whats on your bucket list and why? I do not have a bucket list. As a cancer survivor myself, I try to make the most of each and every day. Of course Id like to travel more, but right now I am grateful and live in the present, because each day is a gift. Any difficult times youd care to share with our readers?? And if so what lesson have you learned? I have had many challenges, as I mentioned above, and Ive learned that just because bad things have happened to me, I am not a bad person. It is important to face your fears and challenges head-on. Very often the big things turn out to be little in the end, and the little things can sometimes turn into big ones. Your faith,
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focus, and positive attitude can get you through anything. What do you think our readers can learn from your story? Never give up, never give in, and keep smiling. The best is yet to come. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would that be? This is going to sound odd, but I would divorce my husband sooner, rather than staying with him for over 17 years. He was an alcoholic, and sometimes became abusive when he was drunk. I always thought staying together for the kids was the right thing to do, but I was wrong. My girls were much happier (as was their mother) after the divorce. Barbara also does a lot to give back to the community. She is active in Dress For Success and Big Brother Big Sisters, and in particular Big Day at the Lake, an event that provides a day of lakeside activities for children in the program. Barbara is also involved with the Lake Norman Chamber and E Women Network.
Barbara also known as the Design Diva publishes a decorating and lifestyle E-Zine monthly. W Contact Barbara at: www.manta.com/c/mrny6jm/sensibly-chic-interior-design
Barbara Green
19706 One Norman Blvd Suite B107 Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 987-0277 sensiblychic4u@aol.com www.sensiblychic.biz

TM
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BUSINESS
Rigid Roles Can Kill a Relationship

By Mary Elizabeth Murphy
I recently ran into an old girlfriend from Ohio, and we played that age-old game, Remember the time? In an instant, our relationship was rekindled as we regaled each other with stories of old friends, old flames, ill-advised things wed done together; you know, war stories. After an afternoon of laughing so hard we cried, we vowed to keep in touch with each other this time, and for once, we kept that promise. For a while, anyway. For a while, we exchanged phone calls, emails and texts about the past, and for a while we were girlfriends again. But after a time, we ran out of things to talk about. After all, the past only continues until the present, and we hadnt seen each other in years. Our store of reminiscences had simply run out. Unable or unwilling to talk about the time between, the present or the future, we once again fell out of touch. This happenstance encounter and the correspondence which followed put me in mind of this column. After all, I do write about relationships here, and I had just failed to cultivate one that had been awakened after lying dormant for some years. What had happened? Where had we slipped up? As I pointed out above, we were either unable or unwilling to discuss anything but amusing memories that we shared. We had failed to take any steps to create new memories. Trapped in the past, our relationship was forced to stay there. In essence, we had missed an opportunity to have a new friendship; instead relying on the comfort of the one we had had years before. These opportunies are missed all the time. We dont necessarily miss it for the same nostalgic reasons as Ive described here, but the same trait in a failed relationship is universal. In beginning our new friendship, we did not or could not see each other as anything except the women we were when we really knew each other. We made no attempt to get to know each other as the women we are now, and in doing so we assigned each other roles that were not conducive to a successful relationship. Whether you are beginning a new relationship or rekindling an old one, be it personal or professional, it is extremely important that roles are not so rigidly defined that the connection is doomed from the outset. This role assignation is different
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from the one that takes place at the beginning of a business team. The reason is that in a business team, you must assign rigid roles in terms of who each person is to the project. You must avoid assigning rigid roles in terms of who each person is to the other. Everyone has acquaintances with whom they only talk about sports, or about politics, or about their kids or their dogs or their favorite television program. Everyone has colleagues with whom they only talk about accounts receivable, or social media marketing, or how silly their bosss new haircut looks. These relationships will fade away and become useless unless the people involved can assign themselves and each other flexible roles. If youre a manager, the employees who work underneath you become exponentially more valuable and productive when you are able to occasionally assign them the role of partner rather than solely that of underling. Your own manager will become a much better workmate if you are able to assign them the roles both of boss and of mentor.
When you find yourself embarking on a new relationship be it romantic, platonic or strictly business keep in mind the fact that you must be open-minded about who you are, can be and will be in relation to each other. The results will both surprise and delight you. And, hey! Youll probably make a friend or two along the way!W Mary Elizabeth Murphy, CPCC, ORSCC is Managing Director of S.T.A.R. Resources, a performance management consulting, coaching and education firm that specializes in creating environments in which people want to work. She is an expert at helping individuals and organizations to earn more, produce more and achieve more. She is the author of RESET Your Buttons. You can reach Mary Elizabeth at 704-535-5610 or info@starresources.biz.
Mary Elizabeth Murphy,
CPCC, ORSCC Managing Director S.T.A.R. Resources - Strategic Teams Achieving Results Creating Environments in which People Want to Work Since 1993
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BUSINESS
By Judy White
What Story is Your Workplace Telling Others?

Smiling, he proceeded to share the many ways in which his new workplace was knocking his socks off by enabling him to connect with customers and collaborative colleagues to come up with new approaches to solving business challenges with leading-edge design technology solutions that far exceeded anyones expectations. As a result, his company is blazing new trails in helping its clients achieve extraordinary results. Before the shift, the narrator inside this Generation X leaders head was playing the role of Passionate Geek. Imagine if he continued to listen to the old narration that said, You dont have what it takes to be a relationship-builder in IT. Youre a techie. If he had stayed tuned to that, he would have delivered far inferior customer outcomes and possibly passed on contributing valuable ideas, energy and innovation that could help his companys clients achieve success. As women business owners, you have a unique opportunity to create more empowering workplace stories by following four intuitive steps: Become aware of your current stories. Tune into the commentary that runs through your mind as well as your workplace conversations. Often,
A Successful companies have more than great products and services. Their performance stems from a clear vision, established strategic priorities, and the ability to act on objectives rapidly. World-class organizations, large and small, go beyond. They cut through an overcrowded marketplace with a distinct competitive differentiator: their people. Every connection that is made with customers, clients, and relevant stakeholders extends the story of your workplace. How your associates communicate, care, and connect with customers reflects their innate talents and leaves a lasting impression. It can also make the difference in whether co-workers invest more discretionary energy, creativity, and extra effort or simply submit the minimum. An energized leader recently shared with me: I cant ever imagine leaving this company. I love working here. After many years of working in health-care technology, this Generation X leader discovered his hidden talent potential, refocused his work/life priorities, and made a decision to align his values with the technologies that he found most intriguing and with which he felt he could deliver the highest customer return.
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leaders are moving in a number of directions and miss the story entirely. Its especially important to be tuned in when youre experiencing adversity and significant change. Assess the stories that are being told. Are the stories representing the reality of your workplace? Or are the stories offering insight into past perspectives that may be based in fear? Are these past perspectives holding your workplace back from connecting with clients, customers, and co-workers? Decide to act on truth. As leaders, you can continue to live based on past experiences, or you can bring peoples talents together and collectively move closer to those stories that reflect current truths. Create a new story.You can be active participants in your workplace stories, and you can let go of those that hold you back. The words of your employees, your choices, and your collective actions matter they mean more to your
clients (and employees) than you think! They can affect the outcome, remarkably. Reflecting on the differences between the Generation X leaders new workplace and his former employer, I was curious what his perspective might be. His reply? My new workplace provides me with the support and tools to care for our clients, while trusting me to make the decisions that can create and deliver the best story (and solution) to help them be more successful. 2011 All rights reserved. Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCS is the founder and president of The Infusion Group. A trusted partner in creating new possibilities in talent management and workplace culture design to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, and society. The Infusion Group brings together a portfolio of workplace services to achieve personalized business strategies for clients in the new world of work. For more information on achieving greater workplace potential, please visit www.theinfusiongroupllc.com. W
Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCS Founder The Infusion Group, LLC Infuse. Excel. Thrive. T-Free: 877.628.FUSE (3873) Fax: 877.628.3873 Mail:P.O. Box 233 Apex, NC 27502 Email: judy@theinfusiongroupllc.com www.theinfusiongroupllc.com
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Family Features
Stay Fresh Throughout Your Day

When walking into a meeting, after lunch, before a presentation, or making a new acquaintance, the last thing you want to worry about is not looking your best.
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In a society based on a go-go-go lifestyle, quick mirror checks can give you that extra boost of confidence before important moments in life. Here are some tips to help you look your best throughout the day.
looking fresh. Make sure you have a water bottle at your desk and drink up!
Before the Big Pitch
Mid-day Mirror Check
For many people, breaking for lunch often means running to a nearby restaurant for a quick bite before returning to the office. Take a moment to freshen-up prior to heading back to work, because you never know when youll need to be at your very best.
When preparing for an important meeting, use mirror time to run through your talking points while prepping your look.
Straighten that tie. Make sure to check

your attire. It doesnt hurt to have a backup suit or outfit in the office in the event of a coffee collision. Having another option will keep you stress-free in those moments following a spill.
Touch-up that makeup. Often in the
course of the morning, makeup can rub off or smear. Do a check in the mirror to reapply concealer or mascara. Using a pre- and post-makeup primer will also help keep your makeup from smearing.
Stash those products. Keep a supply
Post-lunch check. Before you re-apply
any lip product, freshen up your mouth. Onthe-go products such as the Colgate Wisp mini-brushes are perfect for a quick brushing that will keep your mouth clean and fresh, with no rinsing required. Plus they are small enough to pack in a purse or keep in your desk drawer. Check out the full line at www. ColgateWisp.com.
of travel-sized personal care products in a drawer at the office. Store a comb, deodorant with antiperspirant, cologne, contact lens solution or eye drops, a lint roller and pocket mirror. These items are great to have on hand for last-minute meetings or to freshen up after a mid-day walk or trip to the gym.
Keep those pearly whites fresh. A
clean mouth is important for making a good impression. Post-coffee or following lunch, consider using a Colgate Wisp for a convenient brush to refresh your mouth.
Apply fragrance. Perfume, cologne and

body spray will often fade over the course of the morning. Take an opportunity to re-apply in the afternoon. Remember to be mindful of those with whom you share office space. Opt for light scents and dont over-apply.
These tips will help you feel confident and focus on whats important, whether youre presenting during a meeting or heading to a date straight from the office. For more information on the Colgate Wisp, visit www.ColgateWisp.com. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Style your do. Combing or brushing
your locks can help re-set your hairstyle. Products such as hairspray and dry shampoo can give your style additional body and boost.
Drink your H20. The benefits of drink-
ing water show in your mood and in your skin. Staying hydrated will help prevent you from running low on energy and will keep your skin
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Family Features
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Vampires and Werewolves

They Wont Bite, but You Will
Vampires Invade!
Its fright night! Vampire-themed goodies cast a spooky spell on ghoulish guests this Halloween. To charm your gathering long past dawn, entertaining experts from Wilton recommend serving an array of lip-smacking snacks and a sip of blood red Strawberry Cooler. These supernatural recipe sensations are sure to summon vampires of all ages to enjoy your devilishly delicious treats ... and maybe a few tricks.
Clockwise from upper left: Vicious-Delicious Vampire Cake, Freaky Fingers Candy Straws, Freaky Fingers Strawberry Cooler, Fright Nite Cupcakes, Vampire Fang Cookies and Vampires Bite Cupcakes
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Clockwise from upper left: Wickedly Wonderful Werewolf Pops, Frightfully Fun Werewolf Cake and Werewolf Furry Finger Cookies
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Werewolf Furry Finger Cookies cookies Makes about 3 dozen

1 1-1/2 1 1-1/2 1/2 2-3/4 1 3
Vampire Fang Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen cookies Roll-Out Cookie Dough (recipe available at www. wilton.com) Lips Comfort-Grip Cutter Royal icing Black Icing Color Red Icing Color White spice drops Granulated sugar White candy-coated gum pieces Red Sparkle Gel Prepare and roll out cookie dough. Cut cookies using Lips Comfort-Grip Cutter. Bake and cool. Tint royal icing black and red. Use tip 8 and outline lips with red royal icing; fill in with tip 3 black icing; pat smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch. Roll out spice drops on surface sprinkled with granulated sugar; cut into triangles for fangs. Arrange gum teeth and spice drop fangs. Overpipe red lips with red Sparkle Gel.
Finger Cookie Pan cup (2 sticks) butter, softened cups granulated sugar egg teaspoons vanilla extract teaspoon almond extract (optional) cups all-purpose flour teaspoon salt tablespoons cocoa powder Flaked coconut Brown Icing Color Black spice drops Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray Finger Cookie Pan cavities with vegetable pan spray. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg and extracts; mix well. Combine flour, salt and cocoa powder; add to butter mixture. Beat until well blended. Press dough into prepared pan cavities, filling 2/3 full. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn pan over; lightly tap pan to remove cookies. Cool completely on cooling grid. In resealable plastic bag, place coconut with icing color; knead until color is evenly blended. Dry on parchment or waxed paper. Attach in small clumps on cooled cookies with melted candy. Roll out spice drops on surface sprinkled with granulated sugar; cut into fingernail shapes. Attach to cookies with melted candy.
Fright Nite Cupcakes

Each serves 1 Favorite cupcake recipe or mix Buttercream icing Knife Royal Icing Decorations Red Decorating Gel Bake favorite cupcakes in Halloween baking cups. Cool completely. Spatula ice cupcake top. Insert knife icing decoration; add red decorating gel.
Freaky Fingers Candy Straws

Makes 6 fingers per mold White Candy Melts Skeleton Fingers Pretzel Mold Drinking straws Melt Candy Melts following package instructions; pour into Skeleton Fingers Mold. Insert drinking straw where pretzel fits in mold; rotate straw to cover with melted candy. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Remove from mold.
Vampires Bite Cupcakes

Each serves 1 Favorite cupcake recipe or mix Take A Bite Mark baking cups Buttercream icing Red Decorating Gel Red Colored Sugar Bake favorite cupcakes in Take A Bite Mark baking cups. Cool completely. Pipe tip 22 white buttercream swirl on cupcake top. Add red decorating gel to cut area on baking cup. Sprinkle with red colored sugar.
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Vicious-Delicious Vampire Cake

Makes about 16 servings Pound Cake (recipe available at www. wilton.com) Dimensions 3-D Skull Pan Buttercream icing Black Icing Color Red Sparkle Gel Black string licorice Prepare pound cake in Skull Pan following recipe instructions. Cool completely. Assemble skull halves, attaching with icing, on cake board or serving plate. Tint small amount of icing black with icing color. Tint remainder of icing gray with small amount of black icing color. Fill in indented mouth and eye area with black icing; smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch. Build up cheeks and nose with gray tinted icing. Cover skull with tip 18 gray stars. Add tip 8 black outline eyebrows. Pipe tip 5 white teeth, fangs and eye highlights. Add red Sparkle Gel lips. Insert licorice for hair.
Freaky Fingers Strawberry Cooler

Make about 6-1/2 cups 1 package (16 ounces) frozen strawberries with no sugar added, thawed but still cool 1 package (.14 ounce) unsweetened strawberry soft drink mix 4 cups water 1-1/2 cups lemon-lime soda 1/3 cup granulated sugar Freaky Fingers Candy Straws (see below) In the bowl of food processor, pulse frozen strawberries until completely pureed. Strain strawberries to remove seeds. In large pitcher, combine strawberry puree, soft drink mix, water, lemon-lime soda and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Pour into glasses; add ice, if desired, and Freaky Fingers Candy Straws. To drink, bite end from finger candy and sip.
Werewolves Are on the Prowl!

To raise a few hairs at your Halloween bash, add a collection of werewolf treats that are sure to satisfy your hungry pack. Party guests will be digging their fangs into Wickedly Wonderful Werewolf Pops and Werewolf Furry Finger Cookies. So bring your appetite because the Wilton Test Kitchen has baked up a cauldron of confections for this spooky season ... take a bite.
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Wickedly Wonderful Werewolf Pops

Makes about 8 pops Round Cookie Pop Pan 2 tablespoons margarine or butter 2 cups miniature marshmallows 3 cups crisp chocolatecoated rice cereal 8 8-inch Cookie Sticks Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Yellow Candy Melts Brown candy-coated chocolates Candy corn Spray Round Cookie Pop Pan and spatula or wooden spoon with vegetable pan spray. In large microwave-safe bowl, melt margarine and marshmallows together; stir to combine. Add cereal; stir until well coated. Press into prepared pan, leaving top edge uneven. Insert Cookie Sticks. Let cool; remove from pan. Repeat with remaining cereal mixture, reheating mixture in microwave if needed to make it easier to work with. Reserve any leftover cereal. With knife, cut dark cocoa Candy Melts into fourths; with melted candy, attach 2 to the top of each pop, pointed side up, for ears. Cut 1/4 off yellow Candy Melts; attach 2 larger pieces with melted candy for eyes. Attach candy-coated chocolate pupils and nose. Cut pointed end from candy corn; attach for teeth with melted candy. Add additional small pieces of cereal mixture for eyebrows. Arrange pops in seasonal container.
Frightfully Fun Werewolf Cake

Makes about 16 servings Pound Cake (recipe available at www.wilton.com) 3-D Cuddly Bear Set White Rolled Fondant 2 dowel rods Chocolate Buttercream Icing (recipe available at www.wilton.com) Rotary Cutter 2 each Bright Green and Purple Sugar Sheets! Edible Decorating Paper Piping Gel (optional) 1 each Bright Yellow, Light Pink, White and Black Sugar Sheets! Edible Decorating Paper Flaked coconut Brown and Black Icing Color Bake and cool pound cake recipe in 3-D Cuddly Bear baking pan following pan instructions. Cool completely. Roll two 3 inch x 1-1/4-inch fondant logs; insert dowel rods, leaving 2 inches of dowel rod exposed. Insert into cake for arms. Spatula ice cake and arms with chocolate buttercream icing, building up ears to a point at top of head. With Rotary Cutter, cut two purple shirt shapes and two green pants shapes from Sugar Sheets! Attach to front and back of bear, wrapping around to meet, using piping gel, if desired. Cut out pink triangles for ears, yellow eyes, black circle pupils and nose, black mouth and white triangle fangs; attach. Tint coconut with brown and black icing color; press into icing for fur. Tint small amount of chocolate icing black; add tip 22 pull-out star claws on ends of arms.
For additional Halloween ideas and directions for making all your vampire and werewolf goodies, go to www.wilton.com.
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