7 tips for writing cold emails to prospective employers

culled from:mashable.com

1. Know something about the person you're emailing.

Everyone's heard the job interview version of this tip: Always research the company where you're interviewing. The same applies when sending a cold email, so make sure you know the recipient's job title, what she does in her position and a little bit about her background.

If you have something in common, highlight that connection (e.g., "I also came to journalism from the publishing industry").
2. Use a specific subject line.
If you're cold-emailing someone, it's likely that person is busy and receives numerous emails per day, including other cold emails. That's why a short, snappy and informative subject line is more important than ever.

If you've met the person briefly at a conference or career fair, include that information in the subject line ("Email intro, Jillian Kumagai from the conference dinner"). Other identifiers may also work in various circumstances, such as if you're a student at the person's alma mater ("Columbia senior interested in graphic design internship").

If you have no relation to the recipient, a reliable option is "Letter of interest in the manager job opening."
3. Don't hesitate to show that you're passionate.
A cold email is a first impression, just like the first few minutes of a job interview. A cold email that's, well, cold won't do you any good. If you feel strongly about the field you work in, don't hesitate to show that you're passionate about it.

If you're a fan of your prospective employer, tell them that. Showing your enthusiasm for your work is a great way to express your personality without coming on too strong.
4. Keep it short and direct — don't explain yourself too much.

Be passionate, but don't give your life story. The reason you're emailing should be apparent in the first paragraph, whether you're interviewing for a position or just starting a formal relationship. As a rule, a cold email shouldn't be more than a few paragraphs, and those paragraphs should be short.
5. If possible, show the work you've done.

You're more likely to get a response from a cold email if the recipient knows you're serious about pursuing your career of choice, and the best way to express that is to show your work.

Send along a streamlined portfolio or a link to your website if you have these, as well as links to social media and blogs — if they're professional. These are great things to include in your email signature.
6. Proofread.
There's more pressure on a cold email than an ordinary email because it will be scrutinized (just like a cover letter). Make sure it's flawless. Carefully proofread for typos or sloppy writing, because you can't unsend that email.
7. Follow up in a productive way.

If you don't get a reply right away, wait about a week before sending up a follow-up email, especially if you know that the person you contacted is busy.

When you do follow up, rather than harping on information you already gave, ask if she saw the first email and reiterate that you'd love to talk whenever he or she finds the time.

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De-Coding: Dress Codes 101

culled from:lifehack.org

What’s worse: showing up over-dressed or under-dressed? If you have trouble figuring out what “business casual” means, you’ve probably run into such a dilemma before. Knowing dress code lingo is important not only for attending events, but for work attire and job interviews as well. This illustrated guide shows you approximately what all the dress code standards look like for both male and female attire, so you don’t have to spend time standing in front of your closet wondering which shirt is more appropriate.

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20 High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require A College Degree

culled from:lifehack.org

It’s becoming increasingly clear to many that in this day and age, having a four-year college degree doesn’t always guarantee you a job. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the rate of unemployed college graduates in the U.S. as of May this year rose to a sizable 8.5 percent, which is a significant increase from 2007’s record of 5.5. The labor market also reported seven million worth of job shortfall around the first half of 2014.

On the other hand, the job deficit doesn’t mean that the chances of getting hired are always slim. In fact, there are plenty of professions that will still allow you to earn big bucks sans a university diploma. And if you’re looking for a career change without a college degree, there are also opportunities. Listed below are twenty high-paying jobs from varying fields that are what high school graduates can train for and which can serve as the first step to a thriving career.
1. Small Business Owner

Median Annual Wage: $51,470

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 61,600

Not everyone is cut out to be an employee; more often than not, high school graduates looking to go into business would prefer to be their own boss and manage their own enterprise. In this case, setting up your own business can be your ticket to hitting the goldmine. Wholesaling, for instance, after having recorded a decent median annual wage is considered one of the most booming ventures entrepreneurs can take upon. In addition, the US Census Bureau stated in their 2014 statistics that the wholesale trade made a total of $454.4 billion, making this kind of business opportunity more attractive to entrepreneurs. Learning the ropes of wholesaling is a long-term affair, but you only need to have a high diploma or equivalent education to get started.
2. Network Specialist

woman it engineer in network server room

Median Annual Wage (2012): $59,090

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 39,600

The interest in computers and how they work, topped with good interpersonal skills, are perfect starters for snagging a network specialist job. The work involves dealing with wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN), and the associated analysis, testing, troubleshooting, and network evaluation.
 3. Loan Officer

loan officer

Median Annual Wage (2012): $ 59,820

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 59,380

Loan officers are known to approve applications for monetary assistance but apart from that, they are also expected to advise people who are seeking financial help, and evaluate their credit status. Loan officers can work at mortgage companies, banks, credit unions, and car dealerships. It does involve a lot of paperwork and logistics management, but these can be accomplished if one has good organizational and interpersonal skills.
4. Artists and Related Workers

Median Annual Wage (2012): $59,840

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,700

Nearly every company requires a design department, and this is only among the many opportunities artists can delve into. As long as you can draw, paint, or sketch on a solid surface what your creative juices are telling you, you may be able to get a decent job doing what you love.
5. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technician

Median Annual Wage (2012): $61,530

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,100

Being a technician for aerospace and engineering operations involves the development, testing, and production of new aircraft and spacecraft. Technicians in the industry are also expected to maintain the equipment used in these processes.
6. Subway and Streetcar Operator

Median Annual Wage (2012): $62,730

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 3,300

The operators of one of the busiest transport systems in the country are one of the highest paid in the country. Interested applicants require no experience to apply and can learn everything they have to know the job, which is mostly about the operations of the trusty subway cars.
7. Web Developer

Median Annual Wage (2012): $62, 500

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 50,700

Anyone who uses the Internet to work knows that it’s important to have a reliable website and a stable connection. As our dependence on this technology increases by the day, it also generates a lot of job opportunities not just for the younger generation but also to those who are willing to learn it. As such, the demand for web developers, whose job entails everything about websites such as designing, creating, and modifying them, is seen to have steady growth.
8. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Median Annual Wage (2012): $63,250

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 49,900

Just think that as long as we rely on electricity, we will always need people who can repair electrical power systems. Electrical repairers are also responsible for fixing and managing telecommunication cables.
9. Makeup Artist

Median Annual Wage (2012): $64,450

Education Level Required: Postsecondary non-degree award

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 300

The people whose job is to make sure theatrical and performance artists look perfect for the role also bring home big slabs of bacon. As long as the makeup artists are skilled in applying makeup so that performers become the character their script requires, they have a shot at the job.
10. Gaming Manager

Median Annual Wage (2012): $65,220

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 1,400

The gaming industry may be a regulated one, but it enjoys a steady yet slow growth in terms of revenue, which then translates to bigger incomes for gaming managers. The scope of their job is to undertake the planning, directing, and coordinating operations in a casino or similar establishments.
11. Power Plant Operator

Median Annual Wage (2012): $66,130

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 12,900

Just like electrical repairers, there is stability in the demand for power plant operators. These workers’ main responsibility is the management and control of the systems distributing electric power, and they can learn and master this on the job.
12. Nuclear Technician

Median Annual Wage (2012): $69,069

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 4,100

Not every job in a nuclear plant requires a college diploma—some of them can be snagged with an Associate’s degree such as a nuclear technician post. These people spend their workdays providing assistance to engineers and physicists.
13. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Median Annual Wage (2012): $69,300

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 150,200

This kind of job may not exactly be the kind that always requires employees to wear a suit and tie, but it is one of the best-paid jobs a high school graduate can get. Working on the farm would mean managing the establishments that produce goods such as livestock, dairy, and crops.
14. Dental Hygienist

Median Annual Wage (2012): $70, 210

Education Level Required: Associate’s degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 113,500

The people who are responsible for keeping our teeth clean also get a fat annual paycheck. Apart from teeth-cleaning, dental hygienists also examine patients to check for possible teeth and gum diseases and recommend respective preventive care.
15. Commercial Pilot

Median Annual Wage (2012): $73,280

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 14,400

You read it right—you have a shot at flying with a high school diploma under your belt! However, being a commercial pilot will require on-the-job training where you will learn everything about flying and navigating planes and helicopters, as well as rescue operations and firefighting.
16. Elevator Repairer and Installer

Median Annual Wage (2012): $76,650

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 8,000

The skills required to become an elevator repairer and installer include mounting, fixing, and maintaining lifts such as elevators and escalators, all of which one can learn through the apprenticeship.
17. Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median Annual Wage (2012): $74,300

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 27,700

This particular job may not require a college degree but it surely necessitates above average analytical skills. Detectives and criminal investigators are responsible for investigating suspected infringements of the laws provided by the country, state, or local government.
18. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

Median Annual Wage (2012): $74,990

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,300

Besides nuclear technicians, operators of nuclear power reactors can also earn a sizable annual income sans a college degree. These fellows are in charge of moving control rods, adjusting controls, starting and stopping the equipment according to a schedule, and recording respective data.
19. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Median Annual Wage (2012): $81,830

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 29,100

Those who have a knack for administration and management jobs can try their hand at being a transport manager. This job entails keeping on tabs on transport policies implemented by the government, as well as planning, directing, and coordinating transportation policies.
20. Air Traffic Controller

Median Annual Wage (2012): $122,530

Education Level Required: Associate’s degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 11,400

Apart from having a spectacular view of the skies, air traffic controllers are also paid generously for their services. These people have the power to keep aircrafts safe by making sure that there is a safe distance between them.

The above-listed jobs prove that there are plenty of opportunities not just for college graduates, but also for those who have high school graduates and associate degrees. However, you have to keep in mind that like most jobs, these high-paying occupations will necessitate respective skills training. Talent is also important but this you have to work out through the right professional attitude. If you already have your high school diploma, you can start researching these jobs. On the other hand, the professions that require associate degrees would require enrolling and completing the necessary courses at a community college or associate’s college.

1. Small Business Owner
Median Annual Wage: $51,470

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 61,600

Not everyone is cut out to be an employee; more often than not, high school graduates looking to go into business would prefer to be their own boss and manage their own enterprise. In this case, setting up your own business can be your ticket to hitting the goldmine. Wholesaling, for instance, after having recorded a decent median annual wage is considered one of the most booming ventures entrepreneurs can take upon. In addition, the US Census Bureau stated in their 2014 statistics that the wholesale trade made a total of $454.4 billion, making this kind of business opportunity more attractive to entrepreneurs. Learning the ropes of wholesaling is a long-term affair, but you only need to have a high diploma or equivalent education to get started.
2. Network Specialist

Median Annual Wage (2012): $59,090

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 39,600

The interest in computers and how they work, topped with good interpersonal skills, are perfect starters for snagging a network specialist job. The work involves dealing with wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN), and the associated analysis, testing, troubleshooting, and network evaluation.
 3. Loan OfficerMedian Annual Wage (2012): $ 59,820

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 59,380

Loan officers are known to approve applications for monetary assistance but apart from that, they are also expected to advise people who are seeking financial help, and evaluate their credit status. Loan officers can work at mortgage companies, banks, credit unions, and car dealerships. It does involve a lot of paperwork and logistics management, but these can be accomplished if one has good organizational and interpersonal skills.
4. Artists and Related Workers

artists

Median Annual Wage (2012): $59,840

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,700

Nearly every company requires a design department, and this is only among the many opportunities artists can delve into. As long as you can draw, paint, or sketch on a solid surface what your creative juices are telling you, you may be able to get a decent job doing what you love.
5. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technician

aerospace technician

Median Annual Wage (2012): $61,530

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,100

Being a technician for aerospace and engineering operations involves the development, testing, and production of new aircraft and spacecraft. Technicians in the industry are also expected to maintain the equipment used in these processes.
6. Subway and Streetcar Operator

train operator

Median Annual Wage (2012): $62,730

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 3,300

The operators of one of the busiest transport systems in the country are one of the highest paid in the country. Interested applicants require no experience to apply and can learn everything they have to know the job, which is mostly about the operations of the trusty subway cars.
7. Web Developer

EOTM Will Rees

Median Annual Wage (2012): $62, 500

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 50,700

Anyone who uses the Internet to work knows that it’s important to have a reliable website and a stable connection. As our dependence on this technology increases by the day, it also generates a lot of job opportunities not just for the younger generation but also to those who are willing to learn it. As such, the demand for web developers, whose job entails everything about websites such as designing, creating, and modifying them, is seen to have steady growth.
8. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

electric repairer

Median Annual Wage (2012): $63,250

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 49,900

Just think that as long as we rely on electricity, we will always need people who can repair electrical power systems. Electrical repairers are also responsible for fixing and managing telecommunication cables.
9. Makeup Artist

maker up artist

Median Annual Wage (2012): $64,450

Education Level Required: Postsecondary non-degree award

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 300

The people whose job is to make sure theatrical and performance artists look perfect for the role also bring home big slabs of bacon. As long as the makeup artists are skilled in applying makeup so that performers become the character their script requires, they have a shot at the job.
10. Gaming Manager

gaming manager

Median Annual Wage (2012): $65,220

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 1,400

The gaming industry may be a regulated one, but it enjoys a steady yet slow growth in terms of revenue, which then translates to bigger incomes for gaming managers. The scope of their job is to undertake the planning, directing, and coordinating operations in a casino or similar establishments.
11. Power Plant Operator

powerplant operator

Median Annual Wage (2012): $66,130

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 12,900

Just like electrical repairers, there is stability in the demand for power plant operators. These workers’ main responsibility is the management and control of the systems distributing electric power, and they can learn and master this on the job.
12. Nuclear Technician

nuclear technician

Median Annual Wage (2012): $69,069

Education Level Required: Associate’s Degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 4,100

Not every job in a nuclear plant requires a college diploma—some of them can be snagged with an Associate’s degree such as a nuclear technician post. These people spend their workdays providing assistance to engineers and physicists.
13. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

TOPSHOTS Indian farmers sow a paddy in

Median Annual Wage (2012): $69,300

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 150,200

This kind of job may not exactly be the kind that always requires employees to wear a suit and tie, but it is one of the best-paid jobs a high school graduate can get. Working on the farm would mean managing the establishments that produce goods such as livestock, dairy, and crops.
14. Dental Hygienist

dentalhygienist

Median Annual Wage (2012): $70, 210

Education Level Required: Associate’s degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 113,500

The people who are responsible for keeping our teeth clean also get a fat annual paycheck. Apart from teeth-cleaning, dental hygienists also examine patients to check for possible teeth and gum diseases and recommend respective preventive care.
15. Commercial Pilot

pilots

Median Annual Wage (2012): $73,280

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 14,400

You read it right—you have a shot at flying with a high school diploma under your belt! However, being a commercial pilot will require on-the-job training where you will learn everything about flying and navigating planes and helicopters, as well as rescue operations and firefighting.
16. Elevator Repairer and Installer

elevator repair

Median Annual Wage (2012): $76,650

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 8,000

The skills required to become an elevator repairer and installer include mounting, fixing, and maintaining lifts such as elevators and escalators, all of which one can learn through the apprenticeship.
17. Detectives and Criminal Investigators

detectivess

Median Annual Wage (2012): $74,300

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 27,700

This particular job may not require a college degree but it surely necessitates above average analytical skills. Detectives and criminal investigators are responsible for investigating suspected infringements of the laws provided by the country, state, or local government.
18. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

power plant man

Median Annual Wage (2012): $74,990

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 2,300

Besides nuclear technicians, operators of nuclear power reactors can also earn a sizable annual income sans a college degree. These fellows are in charge of moving control rods, adjusting controls, starting and stopping the equipment according to a schedule, and recording respective data.
19. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

distro manager

Median Annual Wage (2012): $81,830

Education Level Required: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 29,100

Those who have a knack for administration and management jobs can try their hand at being a transport manager. This job entails keeping on tabs on transport policies implemented by the government, as well as planning, directing, and coordinating transportation policies.
20. Air Traffic Controller

traffic control

Median Annual Wage (2012): $122,530

Education Level Required: Associate’s degree

Projected Available Jobs (through 2022): 11,400

Apart from having a spectacular view of the skies, air traffic controllers are also paid generously for their services. These people have the power to keep aircrafts safe by making sure that there is a safe distance between them.

The above-listed jobs prove that there are plenty of opportunities not just for college graduates, but also for those who have high school graduates and associate degrees. However, you have to keep in mind that like most jobs, these high-paying occupations will necessitate respective skills training. Talent is also important but this you have to work out through the right professional attitude. If you already have your high school diploma, you can start researching these jobs. On the other hand, the professions that require associate degrees would require enrolling and completing the necessary courses at a community college or associate’s college.

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6 Secrets to Corporate Authenticity

culled from:completeinnovator.com

“Authentic” is undoubtedly one of most echoed words in the Social World nowadays – applied especially liberally when explaining to companies the means by which they should be conveying themselves to the broader world in order to be heard.

The term seems seldom explained more than that, and yet the implications are deep.  It amuses me to no end that the word “authentic” has staged such an emergent come back into our vocabulary – not least of which when used to describe a media and communication form so recently embraced for its ability to allow people to engage in an almost schizophrenic array of multiple online personalities.

Ironic then, that in the current online world that we’ve created, where it’s so easy to be anyone or anything you can imagine, it’s never been so important to simply be yourself. That in a world of Avatars, Second Lives, and Virtual Worlds – we want to know that we’re communicating with real people who are being their real selves.

Maybe it’s a sign that the Social World is growing up – moving from a prior youthfulness happy to live in a world sporting fake Rolexes and toting counterfeit Louis Vuitton bags; to a decidedly a more mature mode preferring to spend their newfound wealth buying the real thing on 5th Avenue.

The formula for being “authentic” as an individual must surely be simple then: Be yourself, communicate from the heart and be consistent. But how do you achieve that in an enterprise setting?  How does a company made up of thousands of voices come across with the same effectiveness as one? Here are some guidelines for your internal “social champions” to follow:

1) and 2) “Know Who You Are and Live It” – Earlier this year I had the good fortune to go to the Front End of Innovation Conference in Boston where Bert Jacobs, one of the founders of “Life is Good” was speaking. In his speech, he relayed the story of how the two brothers started their fledgling business on a street corner selling t-shirts and how they were able to translate that into the marketing empire that Life is Good is now.

During his session there was a comment – one that he repeated during his speech, and then signed along with his name on the Frisbee he flung into the audience and pinged me squarely on the forehead with (there was a ricochet involved from a nearby audience member – honest!).

The comment was “know who you are, and live it”. Now Bert’s no social media guru, nor is he making money from his insight (I believe he donates a lot of his speaking fees to charity – He’s a quiet, down to earth, and confident guy who’s simply figured out the secret to his success.

That secret has helped him translate a feeling, an emotion, and a mission from his heart to his products – and onwards to his customers.

This effect though is multiplied in the social world and the necessity to “know who you are” with ultimate certainty and to consistently live out those values in the social worlds is the real key to success for corporations in what has to be one of the ultimate brand challenges of the modern business world.

Why the “ultimate” brand challenge? Because the Social World has an incredible memory – infinite actually.

What you say, what you do, how you do it, and who you do it with is preserved along with people’s opinions of your actions from the moment it happens, until the end of time. Like an elephant on steroids, your image in the social world is established by your actions, and remembered forever.

If “Knowing Who You Are” is number 1) on the list of things companies must do – then “Live It” has to be number 2).  Consistency is a key element of authenticity  – people want to know that you not only “talk the talk”, but also “walk the walk”.  One communication effort can set an intention, but it takes consistency to set an image.

A positive Social Image is a fragile entity and is re-enforced or recast depending on your actions, engendering strong levels of customer loyalty and advocacy to those who get it right – and equally strong negative reactions to those who trip up on the path. Never mind women, hell hath no fury like a customer scorned in the social world – where one negative voice can sound like hundreds online.

The need for consistency in your actions is then further exaggerated in the current Google-centric world where information is omnipresent and easy to access. In this world, it’s not just your actions that matter, but those of everyone you associate with too.  Nestlé’s well publicized controversy regarding the source of Palm Oil  used in some of their confectionary is just one example of this in action.

3) Be Real – The Social World is made up of individuals – not corporations. Talk to them in the same formal way you approach your PR campaigns and you’ll find the same level of interest and disengagement you probably got from journalists when you sent them that Press Release announcing your new six sigma process (yaaawwwwnn).

Interactions with actual people and personalities are simply more “sticky” than formal corporate approaches. Whilst it’s important to institute guidelines and rules for those interactions, you should, whenever possible,  make sure that your company’s interactions come across as being made on a person-to-person basis and not on a corporate entity-to-whomever-will-listen basis.

4) Be Transparent – Part of the potential poisoned chalice that can be connecting to thousands of people is that you’ll find it very hard to hide information – so don’t bother doing so! Treat your social world as if they’re an integral part of your company. Let them know early when good news is underway, and apologize early when you screw up.  Open up to your community and they’ll reward you with understanding, forgiveness, and loyalty.

5) Cultivate Relationships, not Transactions – Treat the communities you interact with as if they were integral partners in your company’s success and not just simply a transaction source. Care about them, ensure they get value out of the relationship then have with you, and make sure the flow of information and value goes both ways.

6) Do it yourself – This last one is the simplest – you want to be yourself? You want to be “real”? You want to cultivate lasting relationships with your social community? Then do it yourself – don’t hire external partners to do it for you.

Partners have their role in all this – as teachers, thought leaders, and general resources – but you shouldn’t rely on them for execution – that’s just lazy, and in an age of transparency, it won’t take long for the social world to see through you.

Invest in the internal capabilities and expertise to drive and deliver value to and from your communities and the returns will be hundred-fold.

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Are you listening? The return of Employee Engagement

culled from:completeinnovator.com

Employee Engagement” used to be a term reserved for the hollow halls of HR departments across the land. You’d hear a client say that was their main goal, and you knew a program was doomed to fail – usually because it was code word for “I haven’t got a clue what to do with this type of social application”.  My eyes would roll, my sleeves would get rolled up, and I’d get down to work teaching them the need to rethink the requirement for innovation goals that would drive focused value and strategic change through their organization.

But that was 10 years ago – and today, as I was sitting down with the CEO of a multi-million dollar multimedia retailer, I found myself reflecting on how much has changed since those days with respects to “employee engagement”.

“Boris, I see tools like this” (referring to the Social Innovation program we outlined to her) “as table stakes for keeping today’s top employee base” she said – the first time I’ve heard a C-level executive say that with full conviction.

Bravo – for she struck the nail cleanly on the head. With social technologies increasingly being weaved into the fabric that is our personal lives – we’re getting used to being heard by the masses – and we bring that desire to be heard with us into the workplace.  As Facebook and the other mainstream social platforms get us used to being influential in a bigger world, the dichotomy of then being ignored in the workplace is increasingly causing friction.

4255321476_93d737a959Where as yesterday’s employees wanted pool tables and quirky benefits , today’s employees don’t just want to be actively engaged in the company they work for, they DEMAND it.

Smart employees want to feel a part of the world around them, want to feel they can influence and enact change, want the transparency and responsibilities that come with active engagement – and if you don’t provide that level of autonomy for them – then someone else will.

These are after all, the table stakes of keeping bright employees nowadays – question is, are you stepping up to the table?

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CEO Challenges: Rallying the Troops to Solve a Common Goal

culled from:completeinnovator.com

The recent convergence of social technologies in the CEO bag of tricks is great to see, bearing in mind the advancement of these technologies over the years. Nowhere more can we see the growing acceptance for social technologies and business practices than in the emerging trend and desire for CEOs to finally see their world expanding beyond their direct reports, and straight down to the grassroots level.

The emergence of social tech platforms like Facebook, Yammer, and Mindjet SpigitEngage have flattened the modern-day organization like nothing has ever been able to do before. This flatness and increasing democratization of knowledge-sharing across organizations has led to the creation of more nimble, more effective, more robust, and more customer-centric decision-making business entities — whether in the innovation space or otherwise. And, this effect hasn’t been lost on the CEO — the ultimate change agent in any organization.
Top-Down Innovation

The reality of it is that, whether or not you know it, your CEO is either currently planning or already conducting some sort of CEO Challenge –- that is, one that is led from the very top of the company, likely global in nature, and aimed at solving a problem right at the very apex of the organization. But why?

Why would a CEO open themselves up to this kind of transparency? After all, transparency and engagement are not typically at home in the CEO suite at most companies. Yet with changing times come changing attitudes — and changing methodologies.

There are several reasons why CEOs want to engage in a CEO or global challenge. The first is to share and mobilize the workforce around the company vision.

confused_9597033Med-360x240A recent Forbes study found that, on average, about 70% of the employees in any given organization don’t know or don’t understand their company’s strategy. That lack of understanding translates into a lack of focused and coordinated action — something the modern-day business can’t afford in a world that demands ever-increasing speed in the way a company creates and recreates itself to meet the needs of its customers.

A CEO challenge gives the CEO a chance to share the company vision. It allows them to engage employees at all levels to both understand that vision and help create and act on it. Very few modern-day vehicles in the organization can deliver that as effectively as a collaborative challenge, where people are not just communicated to, but are also engaged with the messaging coming from the top level.
Leveraging the Grassroots of Your Company

If there’s one thing that social technologies have taught us during their adolescent years, it’s that valuable knowledge, and the ability to form action around that knowledge, is not restricted to the realm of an elite few. Rather, the collaboration of many minds, with many different viewpoints, can lead to truly wondrous things.

As a result, it’s no wonder that CEOs have started seeing and wanting to leverage this, too. By breaking down traditional barriers, CEOs are able to glean insights and ideas from the people actually doing the work and interacting with customers on a daily basis, providing a more customer-centric view of the world, and one that is unfiltered by layers of management. That untapped community of employees also represents a fountain of new ideas unfettered by the self-perceived barriers of what “can’t be done,” that unfortunately, management and experience sometimes brings along.
Increasing Employee Engagement

The third reason CEOs run global challenges is to drive employee engagement — a rising concern for those in the C-suite who are coming to grip with the challenge of getting employees to be emotionally invested, as well as focused on creating value for their organizations on a daily basis. You may consider that to be a very soft subject, but it represents one of the bigger opportunities available for the modern-day enterprise.

employee-engagementA recent Bain & Co study found that worldwide, only 13% of a company’s employees are actively engaged at work at any one time. Activelydisengaged employees outnumber engaged employees at a rate of nearly 2-1. That represents a huge opportunity cost for most companies.

A further study from Polling company Gallup found that companies with higher engagement levels reported significantly higher profitability, customer ratings, decreased employee turnover and absenteeism, and even fewer safety incidents at work. Allowing disengagement to affect your most experienced staff and those who conduct the most valuable interactions in your organization is not lost on CEOs around the world. According to Bain & Co, active disengagement costs businesses approximately $450-500 billion every year.
Inspiring Big Changes

change_newsThe fourth reason CEOs take part in these types of challenges is to set a stake in the ground and inspire big change. There are few people in the company that can create the necessary momentum for an organization to actually change — but the CEO is, without a doubt, one person in the organization who is entirely capable of doing so.

The CEO is the ultimate change agent when it comes to inspiring cultural change, forcing innovational change, or even impacting industry-wide change outside of the organizational boundaries. And, whether it’s setting a big, audacious, X-Prize-like challenge or engaging in silo-busting collaborative challenges, the CEO Challenge is increasingly becoming the ultimate way for CEOs to express intent in the marketplace — to employees, customers, and investors alike.
Choosing the Wrong Methodology

Yet, many CEOs attack this strategy in the wrong way. For example: last year, Tim Cook was in the press for a CEO Challenge he issued to frontline retail employees using his communication vehicle of choice — email. Marissa Mayer issued a call for big new ideas, too. queues-007Her forum? Knocking on her office door. And, since Yahoo! has more than 11,000 employees, that’s one heck of a queue. These and other inefficient methods result in overwhelming workloads, underwhelming response rates, and often, one-way, incomplete, ideas that haven’t had the benefit of collaborative input.

Instead, consider what the leaders in this field — companies like Citibank, Intel, Bridgepoint, and others — are doing. These organizations use a focused, collaborative approach that not only solicits input, but also engages employees at the core to drive actionable results and real change.

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10 Super Health Benefits of Kale You Didn’t Know About

culled from:inc.com

How do you like your kale? Green or purple, curly or straight? This dark, leafy vegetable has lots of varieties, so you are spoiled for choice. It is a distinguished member of the Brassica oleracea family and is a close relative of cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. But more important, there many health benefits of kale you probably do not know about. Here are my top ten.
1. It has loads of iron

Topping the list of health benefits of kale is iron. You might be surprised that kale has been called the “new beef”—it’s because kale has more iron than beef. If you do not have enough iron in your diet, you are at risk of suffering from anemia, fatigue and poor mental function in your teenage years. You can get all the iron you need from kale, and never have to worry about eating all that meat.
2. It helps you reduce LDL cholesterol

It is fascinating to read about scientists who are doing research on how kale and other green vegetables can help reduce LDL cholesterol in your system. The bile acids are a key factor because they are kicked into action when you digest kale. When these bile acids are excreted, cholesterol levels are lowered.
3. It gives 10% of your daily omega-3

As we know, omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients. There are two elements in the omega-3 mix: DHA and EPA. They help to prevent heart disease and cancer. The DHA component is vital for preventing depression, dementia, and schizophrenia.

You could eat lots of fish, but that can be toxic if it has been polluted with mercury and PCBs. The best alternative is to stock up on kale. You never have to worry about it being toxic.
4. It may help prevent cataracts

I once visited an ophthalmologist for an eye check-up. She told me that it was disconcerting to note how many more cases of cataracts there are in middle-aged people. She did not know the reason for this.

But a correct diet can help prevent your vision from deteriorating. Did you know that the dark green kale leaves contain both lutein and zeaxanthin? These are important nutrients which may protect you against cataracts and macular degeneration, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
5. It helps you lose weight

The secret to weight loss is to increase your intake of foods which are low in calories and have loads of nutrients.

Kale leads the pack of healthy vegetables because it has only 33 calories in one cup. You also get loads of vitamins, fiber, and vitamin C as a bonus.
6. It contains 45 flavonoids

Flavonoids get a lot of attention these days. The reason is that they have two important functions. They have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help prevent most types of cancer. The good news is that kale contains 45 flavonoids.
7. It can help you detox

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, kale contains glucosinolates which are full of sulphur nutrients. These can help the liver function more effectively by activating the detoxification enzymes. These are essential when you need to detox. Kale has 67 of these glucosinolates, just behind Brussels sprouts, which tops the list with 104.
8. Kale recipes are not boring

It was a joy to discover Dr. Drew Ramsey and Jennifer Iserloh’s book Fifty Shades of Kale: 50 Fresh and Satisfying Recipes That Are Bound to Please. You can make kale soup with sausage and white beans, kale smoothies, zucchini and kale bites. If you really want to indulge, you can try the kale and black cherry sorbet!
9. Kale has the calcium you need

Did you know that kale has more calcium than milk? One study showed that kale was better than milk and other vegetables in helping women absorb their daily dose of calcium.

This is a great boon for those who may be lactose intolerant. Getting the right dose of calcium is so important in preventing bone loss, especially as we age.
10. Kale is the number-one veggie

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C, kale comes out as the top vegetable from a list of 84! We can see why, as it has so many things going for it. One cup of raw kale has 5 grams of fiber, 0 grams of fat, and 3 grams of protein, as well as being chock-full of minerals and vitamins.

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20 Healthy Snacks For Your Sweet Tooth

culled from:inc.com

Giving up sweets can be one of the hardest things to do when trying to live a healthier lifestyle. How can you address your desire for ice cream and candy without actually consuming those products? You can whip up some sweet snacks that are healthy instead! It sounds like an oxymoron, but if you try hard enough, you can put together something dessert-y that’s also good for you. Here are a few you can try for yourself!
1. Smoothie.

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Smoothies are great, especially if you are fond of milkshakes. They aren’t quite as rich as their dairy based cousin, but still hit the sweet tooth spot. Simply blend some ice and fruit together, add a little yogurt or protein powder for texture, and voila! It’s like dessert, but healthy. Here’s a list of recipes to get you started!
2. Blueberries.

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A humble bowl of blueberries works wonders when you’re craving something sweet. Instead of going crazy with something wildly unhealthy, chow down on some sweet berries and absorb some awesome antioxidants while you’re at it!
3. Raisin bread.

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It’s like bread, but with raisins in it. Add a little bit of your favorite cheese spread if you are feeling adventurous. As you know, raisins are pretty sweet, so this will almost be like eating a slice of healthy cake if you prep it correctly.
4. Dark chocolate.

I’m not saying you can go out and eat several bars of dark chocolate, as some might have you believe. A small portion however, will sate your desire for sweets while simultaneously imparting the beneficial effects of dark chocolate upon you.
5. Pancakes.

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Surprised? The key here is to lay off the syrup, using fruit alternatives, and making the pancakes out of something healthier than just plain flour. Recipes I’ve seen use anything from whole wheat flour to a cinnamon oatmeal blend.
6. Vegan ice cream.

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Turns out vegans like ice cream so much that they decided to come up with their own version that doesn’t rely on dairy or artificial sweetening. What this basically is is frozen, pureed fruit (or pureed cashews in the case of the image). It won’t be as creamy as ice cream, but it will be sweet and smooth. See all of the ways you can make ice cream without any dairy products!
7. Frozen yogurt.

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Another ice cream alternative, though a bit creamier in consistency than the vegan option. It almost tastes like its unhealthier cousin (there’s a slight tang), while being far better for you. Top it with fresh fruit (not bits of candy) and you’ll have yourself a satisfying sweet tooth snack.
8. Apple pie without the crust.

This one’s pretty straight forward. All you do is bake the apple pie filling, sans the rich, buttery crust. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and enjoy!
9. Peanut butter.

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I used to do this in college when I craved something sweet and had no access to anything decent. I’d simply grab a spoon and a jar of peanut butter, and dig in. It’s sweet, filling, and even has some protein to help you recover from workouts. Just don’t eat half the jar.
10. Fruit pouch.

You probably see these at your local supermarket. They’re basically little pouches of pureed fruit, that you open with a twist of the cap. It’s like eating an apple, in a much more optimized format. Good if you want a quick jolt of something sweet on a busy day!
11. Sesame bar.

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You’ve probably seen these at your local Asian buffet. It’s basically sesame seeds held together by honey. While a bit difficult to eat, and certainly bad for your teeth, honey is fairly healthy as far as sweet products go.
12. Figs.

Whether it’s the fruit itself or fig bars, figs fulfill your sweet tooth with a gusto few on this list can match. If you get raw ones, be sure to eat them quickly because they tend to go bad rapidly (I found this out the hard way).
13. Chocolate strawberries.

It’s so good it’s almost unhealthy! Just don’t go too heavy on the chocolate dip and these can be a good alternative to your favorite candy bar.
14. Parfaits.

Greek yogurt has a great, creamy consistency that goes well with granola and fresh fruit. See what all the hipsters are raving about and try one!
15. Vanilla latte.

As a heavy coffee drinker, I usually use lattes or cafe mochas to satisfy my sweet tooth. They aren’t the healthiest drinks in the world, but if they prevent you from consuming a thousand calorie dessert then it’s totally worth it.
16. Protein bar.

My preference is the chocolate peanut butter Zone bars, but there’s tons out there for you to choose. These bars almost taste like candy, except they’re chock full of essential nutrients instead of mostly sugar and fat.
17. Fruit leather.

You’ve seen these at your local Trader Joe’s, I’d bet. It’s basically a healthy alternative to Fruit Roll Ups.
18. Pudding!

Dean Winchester’s favorite. I like the chocolate variety, but sometimes stray to strawberry. Strawberry yogurt plus granola is awesome, I won’t lie.
19. Whipped yogurt.

I can’t believe people aren’t aware that this stuff exists. Yoplait makes an awesome version of it that’s super cheap and always satisfies my sweet tooth. My favorite flavor is the strawberry, but chocolate and orange cream bar are pretty good as well…
20. Cereal.

Ah, cereal. Good for breakfast, dinner, and dessert! Any kind will do, though if you go for Cinnamon Toast Crunch I won’t blame you. Pretty much all cereals are better for you than a bowl of ice cream, so have at it! You can even watch some cartoons while you’re eating it.

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5 Documentaries Every Entrepreneur Should Watch on Netflix Now

culled from:inc.com


After Thanksgiving dinner, as the food-coma sets in and you suddenly realize the need to capture your extended family's attention--or, let's face it, you need a little "me time"--here are five films you should stream on Netflix.
1) Burt's Buzz:

This film chronicles the humble beginings of the Burt's Bees' namesake and co-founder Burt Shavitz and his Machiavellian struggle with co-founder Roxanne Quimby.


2) Inequality For All:

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, with a little help from entrepreneur Nick Hanauer, explains the increasing problem of income inequality in America and its implications for our economy.
3) Happy:

Scientist, researchers and thought leaders explain the latest information surrounding happiness (and reveal why your vast salary isn't making you much happier.)
4) Somm:

For all the winos out there, Somm follows the lives of a few folks compromising time, relationships, and other goals to study for and hopefully pass the Master Sommelier Exam.
5) 20 Feet From Stardom:

With interviews from music's biggest stars, 20 Feet From Stardom unpacks the lives of backup singers and their immense contribution to the hits we all know and love.

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Your Cheat Sheet to the Best Beers From Around the World

culled from:inc.com

It was not long ago that I didn’t really like beer all that much. To me it just was not something I would seek out; that is, until a few summers ago in Southern Italy. It was a typical summer’s day in that region: hot and humid. We had been out and about and I was really thirsty. I met our friends at a little bar along the beach, and before I could stop him my friend ordered me a birra piccola (tiny beer). What came was a glass of Peroni on tap. It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. Since then I have been hooked, but not on just any beer. It has to be a great beer.

When Lifehack asked me to write an article on beers, I jumped at it. I love when I can cross business with beer drinking! Let’s start our little foray into the international beer world by stating that although almost every country has a large selection of local beers, I tried to focus on ones you can get at the local beverage store. After all, what good is knowing how great a beer in Italy is if it never leaves that country and you never go?
United States
Brother Thelonius Belgian Style Abbey Ale

Where do I start? There are so many micro breweries here and so many amazingly delicious beers that US beers are a whole article unto themselves. However, if I were to pick out a great beer from my home country I would have to say that I personally love Brother Thelonious from the North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California. Named for jazz musician Thelonius Monk, this beer is a fitting tribute to a master. This is not so much a beer as a soup. And as it trickles over your tongue, it changes and evolves. I find it very compelling.
Gordon Biersch Blonde Bock

I am a bit biased toward Gordon Biersch because my brother went to grade school with Danny Gordon, the man who created this beer-loving empire. Nonetheless, Gordon Biersch has a ton of fabulous beers to choose from. The blonde bock is fabulous because although it is a big and highly alcoholic beer, as bocks generally are, it has a rich and creamy texture. Danny and his partner only use the finest German hops, yeast and barley. They brew in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot, which is the German purity law of 1516.
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Available around the holiday season, which coincides with the first harvest of hops, Celebration Ale is famous for its citrus and pine aromas, making it perfect for holiday entertaining.
Sierra Nevada Stout

Sierra Nevada is a great brewery, cranking out great beer after great beer. Their stout is full bodied, rich and delicious. For those unfamiliar with stout beer, this is a good start.
Fat Tire Amber Ale

This ale is from the New Belgium Brewing Company and scores high in the Beer Advocate Ratings. The name Fat Tire comes from the co-founder’s bicycle trip through Belgium from brewery to brewery. Fat Tire is a great ale and that sounds like one hell of a bicycle trip!
Italy
Peroni

This is just great beer! I have it every time I go to Italy. A Peroni in front of you while you contemplate the deep blue Mediterranean and wait for your homemade pasta dish to arrive at your table is the best experience I can ever imagine.
Birra Morretti

Another great Italian beer. Like Peroni, it is light, crisp and refreshing, with enough body to make it memorable but not heavy.
Mexico
Corona

I know I will take a total drubbing for this one but I like Corona! OK, if you are a beer snob you can hate me for it. The fact is that I like pretty much most Mexican beers. Mexico is now the leading importer of beer to America. (Thanks, Corona!) It recently beat out Holland and their Heineken.
Dos Equis

This is a bit more ‘beery’ than Corona. To me, Corona is more for thirst quenching on the beach. Dos Equis is a great complement to a meal of Pollo Mole.
The Netherlands
Heineken

Another great, refreshingly crisp and yummy beer!
Belgium
Stella Artois

I can’t think of Brussels, where I used to live, without thinking of Stella Artois and I can’t think of Stella Artois without thinking of Marlon Brando in a Streetcar Named Desire. In any case, Stella Artois is a relatively light Pilsner beer (the variety is named after the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic). Stella, like many Pilsners, is crisp and flavorful but not a meal like some beers.

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Five Foods You Hate as a Kid But Love as an Adult

culled from:inc.com

According to Kids Eat Right, kids “are born with an instinctive desire for sweet and salty foods, and an instinctive aversion to sour and bitter tastes,” which would explain why our food preferences consisted of powdered donuts and popsicles when we were young.

However, as we get older and our taste buds begin to diminish (sob!), our inclination toward sweet and salty foods expands to include the bitter, sour foods we avoided before.

In the article “FYI: Why Do Kids Hate Brussels Sprouts,” Popular Science explores this alternation over time as a result of adults realizing “even though something tastes bitter or sour, it won’t kill us, and we learn to enjoy it,” considering “sweetness typically indicates that something is safe to eat” for children.

But as age brings riskiness in our food choices (as well as in our personal choices), we begin to love the food we hated as children, thus becoming the people we never thought we’d be–adults.

Here’s a list of five foods you hate as a kid, but learn to love as an adult:
1. Avocado

Avocado_halved
I cringe to think of all the times I pushed those slices of avocado to the side of my plate, wasting God’s miracle fruit every time my mom made Mexican food or tossed it in a salad. These days, avocado is an essential component of my daily diet. I feel incomplete without it in at least one of my meals, and for good reason. It’s not only delicious, but it’s one of the healthiest fruits out there.

However, in a study conducted by Mail Online, the website found avocado at the top the “food hate list” of children. In fact, experts found “out of 100 common foods, the avocado rated the lowest, being one of only 10 which scored minus marks.”

“I suspect that avocado comes out as the most hated food more because of its unusual texture, rather than the taste,” said Dr. Wendy Doyle, of the British Dietetic Association.

Though I understand the aversion (because let’s be real, we all went through it too), it’s a difficult pill to swallow now thinking of all those trashcans full of untouched avocado.

But I guess that means more avocados for us, and an excuse to shamelessly trash-dig–at least for me.
2. Brussels sprouts

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As a kid, I thought they smelled and tasted like baby diapers. Each trip to the kitchen while my mom boiled them was shortly followed by a plug of the nose and dash for the upstairs. You think I’m kidding. I wish I was.

Now as an adult, I love them. I can’t get enough of them. There are so many delicious ways to make Brussels sprouts, though my favorite way is to boil them (yes, I love and do the exact thing my mom did that I hated as a child).

But while I’m obsessed with them now, I can see why I despised Brussels sprouts so much as a kid. In the blunt words of Popular Science, kids hate the vegetable “because Brussels sprouts are bitter, and kids generally don’t like bitter tastes.”

Though I’m “bitter” (sorry not sorry for the bad taste bud joke) I didn’t appreciate these scrumptious balls of Brussels earlier, I’m glad they’re one of my favorite veggies nowadays.

After all, parents apparently shouldn’t bother pulling them off the produce shelf. It looks like there’s more for me anyway. I’d like to believe I’m doing families a favor.
3. Dark chocolate

dark-chocolate

The name alone sends my taste buds into a frenzy, while the craving creates actual chaos. Chocolate has that effect on me, and I’m not the only one. It’s one of those foods you hate to love and love to love all at once.

When I was growing up, I was lucky to find chocolate in my pantry. These days, my pantry is filled with it. But back then you wouldn’t have caught my hand in the dark chocolate chip cookie jar. It was all about the milk chocolate. Today, it’s all about the dark chocolate. I like the bitterness of the cocoa whereas before I compared the taste to tree bark.

But I have to admit, I had to train myself to like dark chocolate. It’s essentially as healthy as tree bark, so making the switch was a move on my healthy-diet-minded part. Now though, I prefer it to its milk-based counterpart.

According to the io9 article “The psychology of hating food (and how we learn to love it),” studies concluded “our food preferences are learned, though we have a predisposition to like certain tastes.” And for most adults, like myself, we’ve trained ourselves to cross over to the “dark side” (another shameless taste bud joke).

But thank goodness I, and many others, did. I mean, why feel more guilty about eating the best thing to happen to this world when we could enjoy it semi-less-guilt-free?

You tell me, kids.
4. Strong cheeses

Cheddar…was manageable as a child. Mozzarella string cheese, even better. But Gouda? Brie? Havarti? Yuck. Those were automatically placed in the “untouchable” section of my refrigerator.

In looking back at my strict aversion to these strong cheeses, I can see why I loathed them as a kid. It all had to do with their smell.

Wonderopolis expanded on this idea of how smell plays an important role in our taste bud development saying, “A food that has a strong smell might be unattractive to children who might otherwise not mind its taste alone.”

Personally, I’ve always been a little more cautious toward cheese since I never really liked it when I was growing up. Nowadays, I’m picky about my cheese, but express a love for feta, ricotta, parmesan, and sharp cheddar that I never would have previously.

When I was a kid though, the smell of these cheeses made me sick. I hated them simply because of their smell. Considering my sense of smell as an adult has become less sensitive, these cheeses have become more tolerable as well.

So while kids may hate strong cheeses, it’s good to know it doesn’t necessarily have to do with their flavor. Now, to conquer blue cheese…though the smell of it still makes me sick.
5. Coffee/Tea


To be fair, coffee and tea are usually considered adult drinks. Most adults consume either drink each morning to caffeinate themselves for the long day ahead of them and believe me, the little boost of caffeine definitely helps (at least in my opinion).

Growing up though, I rarely had the opportunity to drink coffee. My mom believed it to be unnecessary for children–understandably so, despite studies showing its health benefits.

However, the times she did let me take a sip from her coffee mug were usually a regretful decision. The bitter taste, the strong scent, and the overall flavor were too overwhelming to even swallow. I’d often have to spit it out.

But I’m biased. My mom made Folgers microwaveable coffee, without cream or sugar. Had the coffee been masked with heaps of sugar and half & half, I might have felt differently.

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12 Ingenious Multi-Use & Space-Saving Products for Your Home

culled from:mashable.com


When buying new products for the home we often overlook where we’ll put them once we’ve brought them home. Many times we end up storing things away in a garage, the back of a cupboard or drawer or even under the stairs. The problem with this is, when they’re out of sight, they’re out of mind. Then we forget where we’ve put something and by habit we buy it again, resulting in even more space being taken up.

However, more and more products are being designed in a way that will help save us space at home. I’ve searched around and found 12 items that are absolutely great for saving us space!
1. Strainer meets cutting board

chop rinse

This is definitely something I need in my life! This ingenious invention allows you to chop up your vegetables, fruits, lettuce and anything else without damaging your counter top, then in one easy step it becomes a strainer so you can wash your food straight away and then transfer it straight to your plate or bowl. Save some space in your cupboard with this 2-in-1 strainer board. It takes up hardly any room and its flat design makes storage easy!
2. Speaker Light Bulb

audiobulb-wireless-speaker-light-bulb-2

This cool looking speaker doubles up as a light bulb. Save space in any room of your house and benefit from this speaker that will generate sound to the entire room. It’d make a great Christmas present or just treat yourself.
3. All in one kitchen doohickey

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A lemon juicer, a spice grater, an egg masher, a cheese greater, a lid opener, an egg yolk separator, a measuring cup and a funnel all in a wine shaped bottle. This quirky design has compacted 8 kitchen tools into one easy to store product.
4. Wall mounted ironing board

This ironing board is absolutely ideal if you haven’t got a lot of space or storage space in your bedroom or bathroom. Not only is it an ironing board but it’s a cupboard too so you’re given even more room and it will also blend in perfectly with its mirror door. 
5. Magnetic ironing mat

magnetic

This simple idea is so effective and will not only save you space but time too! Put this mat on top of your washer or dryer in your laundry room and you can iron your clothes as soon as they’re ready. With this product there’s no need for an ironing board, this mat is as effective, much smaller and easy to move and store!
6. Roll up dish drying rack

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This product will not only help you save space but it can create it too! Extend your drying space with this convenient drying rack and then once you’re done just simply roll it up and put it away. The roll up feature means you can easily store it anywhere and just take it out when you need it. 
7. Space Saving Hangers

If, like me, you have an ever expanding range of clothing but a wardrobe that stays the same size these space saving hangers will allow to you fit much more into your wardrobe. No more doubling up clothes on one hanger or packing your wardrobe so full you can’t find anything.
8. Measuring cup

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This product is so simple but it is extremely useful when cooking. I always struggle with teaspoon and tablespoon measurements. This small and convenient size cup will help save you time in the kitchen and won’t take up space either. 
9. Vertical free standing shoe rack

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This modern-style shoe rack is perfect for any area of the home: bedroom, living room, inside the front or back door. The vertical design means it takes up much less room than most other standard shoe racks and works perfectly for all styles of shoe. I personally love the overall design too!
10. Fold-away treadmill

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That’s right! There is such a thing as a foldaway treadmill. This treadmill is absolutely ideal for anyone starting off creating an at home gym or workout space. With its clever design you can take it out when you need it and when you’re done you can just pack it away. Storing it is simple because of its compact shape. No need to section of part of your room or have it sitting in a corner or in your garage ‘out of the way’. Buy one and start working out at home today!
11. Library Chair

il_570xN_597324463_dftb

This great-looking chair doubles up as a book shelf storage space. The creative design means there’s no more need for those massive book shelves, you won’t have books scattered all around the house or in drawers and cupboards, where they shouldn’t be. This reading station will save you space in your house, help you manage your books and also give you a place to read them.
12. The Auto-Expanding/Contracting Hose

This smart invention would make a great gift for your dad! It’s designed in such a way that when you turn the water on, it expands in length and width, then when you shut the water off it will contract in size. Not only will this save you time as you won’t have to reel your hose out and in but it will also save you space when storing. It’s compact enough to place on a shelf or in a cupboard or you could just hang it up on your wall.

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Rachel

I am 23 years old and live in England. I have a First Class Honours degree in Accounting and am currently working in Finance. I am a health and fitness enthusiast and have my own fitness blog, with over 1,000 followers. I am also in the process of writing my first novel.

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20 Flowers You Probably Never Knew Were Eadible And Would Add Taste and Color to Your Festive Meal

culled from:masahable.com

The culinary use of flowers dates back thousands of years to the Chinese, Greeks and Romans. Many cultures use flowers in their traditional cooking — think of squash blossoms in Italian food and rose petals in Indian food.

Today, it’s not uncommon to see flower petals used in salads, teas, as well as garnish for desserts. The possibilities are endless. Your imagination is your only limit.

With the festive season upon us, delight your guests with colourful, fresh flower accents or crystallized flowers.

Here are a selection of 20 flowers which will add flavour and color to any festive table.
1. Apple

Apple blossoms have a slightly floral taste and the petals are lovely in salads. Infuse petals in whipped cream or ice cream to go over an apple tart. Blossoms look attractive when floated in a fruit punch.


2. Basil

Basil Flowers can be used as a substitute for leaves in any dish requiring basil. The flowers should be used more sparingly due to their very intense flavour. Delicious when added to salads, soups or pasta.


3. Chives

Chive flowers have a mild onion flavour and are surprisingly crunchy. They are widely used tossed in salads, pasta, omelettes and scrambled eggs. Or you can add a few to white fish dishes or to cheese sauce to give that extra bite. As tempting as it may be to pop the whole flower into your mouth, refrain from doing so as the pungency in that quantity can be overwhelming. For garnish and cooking, break the flower into individual florets .

4. Daisy

Pull the flowers apart for a mass of small quill petals ideal for creating a colourful garnish on desserts or soups, in salads or with savoury dishes. Also makes useful decorations for cakes, biscuits, mousses and pâtés.


5. Dandelions

Dandelions are sweetest when picked young. They have a sweet, honey-like flavor. Mature flowers are bitter. Dandelion buds are tastier than the flowers. It is best to pick these when they are very close to the ground, tightly bunched in the center, and about the size of a small gumball. Dandelion flowers are good both raw or steamed. Young leaves taste good steamed, or tossed in salads. When serving a rice dish use dandelion petals like confetti over the rice.


6. Day Lily

Day lily petals are great in salads, hot and cold soups, cooked and served as a vegetable or chopped and added to stir-fries. Try sautéing the buds or flowers, which can then be stuffed with almost any filling.


7. Hibiscus

Infuse the flowers to make a popular, mildly citrus-flavoured tea. Add strips of vibrant coloured petals to fruit salads. It is best to use the petals from the flower heads. If you use them whole, beware of the pollen.


8. Jasmine

The flowers are intensely fragrant and are traditionally used for scenting tea but can also be added to shellfish dishes.


9. Lavender

There are many ways to use lavender flowers in sweet or savoury dishes. Make a delicious lavender sugar and add to biscuits, sorbets, jams or jellies. Add flowers to vegetable stock and create a tasty sauce for duck, chicken or lamb dishes.

10. Lilac

Mix fresh fragrant flowers with a little cream cheese and serve on crackers or stir flowers into yogurt to add a hint of lemon. Also useful as a garnish for cakes, scones or sweets.


11. Marigold

The flowers and leaves have a citrus taste, making them ideal for adding to salads, sandwiches, seafood dishes or hot desserts.

12. Nasturtium

The fresh leaves and flowers have a peppery flavour similar to watercress. The flowers will add a spicy touch to salads and the green seeds can be chopped and used with parsley as a garnish or made into capers. Try them combined with cream cheese, butter in canapés, or in a cheese and tomato sandwich. Nasturtium flowers can also be used to garnish steaks or casseroles.

13. Pansy

Pansy flowers have a lettuce-like flavour and make a decorative addition to a green salad, garnish. a pâté or dessert. They can be crystallised and used to decorate cakes, cookies or creamy desserts.

14. Rose

As a general rule, if a rose smells good, it will taste good. Petals have a delicate flavour which will improve cool drinks and fruit dishes, or why not try rose petal jam? Rose hips and petals can both be used in jellies. If the flowers are crystallised, they will make attractive cake decorations. It is best to remove the white heel from the base of the petals before eating.


15. Rosemary

Rosemary flowers and leaves can be used with poultry or pork – try adding a few flowers to biscuit dough to add flavour.


16. Squash

All squash flowers have a slightly sweet nectar taste. These can be stuffed with cheeses and other fillings, battered and deep fried, or sautéed and added to pasta. Thinly sliced blossoms can be added to soups, omelettes, scrambled eggs or used to add colour to salads.


17. Sunflower

The buds, petals and seeds are all edible. Add the petals to a green salad for a colour contrast and a mild nutty taste. The green buds can be blanched, then tossed in garlic butter. They are similar in flavour to a Jerusalem artichoke. The kernels inside the seeds can be eaten raw or toasted as a snack.


18. Tulip

Tulip petals have a sweet, pea-like flavour and a tender crisp texture. Try stuffing whole flowers with a shrimp or chicken salad. Add strips of petals to salads or sandwiches for that added touch of colour. Carefully remove pollen and stigmas from the base of the flower before stuffing. Some people have had strong allergic reactions to tulips.


19. Viola

Viola flowers have a lettuce-like flavour and make a decorative addition to a green salad, garnish, pâté or dessert. They can be crystallised and used on cakes, cookies or creamy desserts.



The white Yucca flower is crunchy with a mildly sweet taste (a hint of artichoke). In the spring, they can be used in salads and as a garnish.



Wondering where you can buy flowers in the heart of winter? You can order on-line from places like Gourmet Sweet Botanicals, Marx Foods,  and Melissa’s.

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