Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Discovering Freedom: Blanca's Blog: Traveling for US Citizens New Law 2009

Also check this link: http://www.getyouhome.gov/
New Passport Information for United States Citizens

Traveling for US Citizens New Law 2009

Next year in 2009, you will need a new passport card (like a credit card, but it will contain all your personal information) to travel in and out of the United States. Go to my link to read more about this new law.

Remember it is your responsibility as a United States citizen or a foreign citizen to be informed about existing laws, or new laws that might affect or benefit you in the long run.

Happy New Year 2009!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Discovering Freedom: Blanca's Blog: Keeping Up with Finances

www.kiplinger.com

Keeping Up with Finances

Hi,

I know most of us are trying to keep up with our finances. I think it is important to educate ourselves and made better financial decisions. I love to read Kiplinger magazine, and Money magazine. They are my favorites because they always give me a better financial insight. I disagree from time to time with certain articles or suggestions, which I believe we ought to do.

I hope you enjoy this new journey to understand your finances and how to improve your life and provide the best that is within you to your family, friends, co-workers, and all those people that are an influence in your life.

God Bless us all as we move into a new year.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

How to be an assistant?

Be a Kickass Assistant: by Heather Beckel (Book)

Definition: Assistant
“A person who assists” (Webster’s dictionary)

The skills necessary to be a good assistant will serve you throughout your professional career: organization, diplomacy, problem solving, prioritizing, time management, and communication.

Learn what it takes to become an executive
Learn how the company works

Take every advantage to impress upon everyone your willingness to do any job and to do that job better anyone else does.

Keep your eyes open for mentors and continually seek them out
Look for people you admire
Cultivate friendships
The more you know about the place you work for, the better you’ll be at your current job
Know the company and its product and services

THE QUALITIES TO BE a GREAT Assistant are:

The ability to take control without taking over
Organization
Attention to detail
Diplomacy
The initiative to solve problems
Getting satisfaction from being indispensable and in service to someone
Communication skills
The ability to stay calm under pressure

Answer questions directly, don’t ramble
Take a lot of notes
Be very political: watch what you say and how you behave with everyone.
Speak softly: someone who speaks loudly is annoying and noticeable in a negative way.
Don’t speak badly of your former boss and/or employer

CREATING a Telephone Directory

Create and constantly update a miniature version for your boss to carry (most called numbers) / laminate it (wallet size)

Emergency contact numbers

Educate yourself (read all the reports and memos coming into the office)

Put it in writing: electronic and paper correspondence
Do not walk away from your computer with a document open on your screen Do not take sides in disputes (office politics)
Imitate the people who have the jobs you want


Incoming Mail

Open everything
Staple envelopes to letters and all enclosures
Sort the mail
Category 1: mail that your boss must look at before you take any action
Category 2: mail for which you can immediately generate a response
Category 3: invitations , write yes or no / accept / decline Category 4: Request to speak or donations.

Being a Boss

The Girl’s guide to being a boss
By: Caitlin Friedman


www.advancingwomen.com

Create a to do list
Set goals
Stick to deadlines
Keep your word
Get it in writing
Be proactive about everything you do

Here are some of the key things you should be ready, willing and able to provide:

Clear vision
Support
Respect
Feedback
Answers
Freedom

Delegate a clear assignment and set a deadline
You are not there to be anyone’s friend. You are in the leadership role to provide the tools and environment that your team needs to accomplish their goals.

Everyone has something valuable to offer
Delegate responsibilities and trust that the task will get done
Your personality
Do not micromanage ( over control )

JFK; Bush; LBJ; Nixon