Outlast Life

William James once said, "The best use of life is to invest in something which will outlast life" (Inspirational).  In the past two years of my life, everything has changed.  I moved out, went to college, got married and had a kid.  In the past year, I've changed it even more. I moved to Utah, transferred colleges, started my degree program, bought a house, started a new job, and began setting myself up to start my own business.  This past year has been so hard, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.  I'll trade two years of hardship for a lifetime of a better life for them, for all of us.  


First of all, I have a purpose.  I love my family.  I married my wife two years ago and have been so glad to have her ever since.  My daughter lights up my day every time I see her.  There's nothing better than coming home from a long day of school, work and home repairs to a wife and daughter who love me and want to spend time with me.  They are the reason I do what I do.  


Secondly, I have a plan.  I go to school in the morning, work at my job in the afternoon, and fix up my home and work on my business in the evening.  There is little time for relaxing, taking a break, or even doing fun things, but it's all part of the plan.  In two years, I will have a home that's ready to sell, a business that is taking off, and a degree that will get me where I need to be.  My days are long and my weekends are longer.  The holidays are short and my days off are shorter, but again, it's all a part of the plan and will be worth it in two years.


Thirdly, I have a passion.  Arnold H. Glasgow said, "Make your life a mission - not an intermission" (Inspirational).  My plan is full of goals, dreams, and ambitions.  I have the passion to make these a reality.  I will not float through life just getting by.  I can do more, I deserve more, and I want more; therefore, I will get more.  At this point, there's a lot of things I could put on hold: starting my business, growing my family, and fixing up my home; but I won't.  I have too much passion and potential to let my life be an "intermission."  This is my "mission," my passion.


In the end, I know that what I'm doing is far bigger than the day to day things I do.  I am investing my time, attention, and strength into the betterment of the lives of my daughter and wife, or something that will "outlast life."  I have two years left in school, in our home, and in my job and then things will be different.  Until then, I will continue pushing through the hard times every day knowing what lies in my future, and who and what I'm doing it all for.


Works Cited


Inspirational Quotes About Life.  2010. Pg 1.  Retrieved: November 11, 2010.  <http://inspirationalquotesaboutlife.com/>.

The Influence That Makes The Difference

In an interview, the potential employer is analyzing each applicant to see if they meet the criteria needed to be fit for the job. According to tripod.com, the five areas an interviewer looks for in applicants are “intelligence, qualification, impact on others, motivation and achievements” (Meng). The first method of judging these five areas, according to the website, is question and answer. The potential employer gets a small glimpse of the applicant's experience and personality by asking questions and evaluating the information he or she is told. He or she then uses this information to compare each applicant and his or her job qualifications and requirements. For example, if it is a customer service job, the interviewer may analyze if the person was sociable, responsive, and easy to talk to; or if they've had successful learning experiences in the past.

With so much to evaluate in so little time, a personal blog can be a valuable and beneficial tool that may be the difference between that applicant and the others. If the applicant tells the interviewer about the blog, the interviewer has a second chance to look at that employee.  The blog will show his or her personality traits, written communication skills, problem solving, and information. It can also be a great way to display the applicant's abilities and qualifications. Microbiologybytes.com states that a blog “is a place where I play with technology and ideas” (Why Blog). A person can display his or achievements, knowledge and intelligence, and qualifications on a personal blog, just like a resume. Then, as they are discussed by blog readers, it in turn shows impact on others and motivation. A personal blog can cover all five areas that matter to an interviewer, according to tripod.com, and can therefore be the influence that places that applicant above the others in the selection process. A personal blog is essentially an online resume and an extension of the applicant's interview.

Works Cited:

Meng, Ngeow Yoke.  What The Interviewer Is Looking For.  <http://mcleon.tripod.com/intervw.htm>

Why Blog?  March 24, 2010.  AJC  <http://www.microbiologybytes.com/AJC/whyblog.html>

Collaboration technologies

Collaboration technologies are very beneficial when it comes to group work.  When it comes to group work, the most difficult parts are coordinating schedules and communication with the whole group.  With collaboration software, communication is shared between all parties instantly.  Group members don't have to wait for e-mails to be passed around communicating details, schedule group meeting times, or make phone calls.  Information is available to the group as soon as it is posted.  It is quick and easy communication without having to coordinate schedules or plan meetings.  According to taskmanagementsoft.com, collaboration technologies "organize and coordinate work effort, with reduced slip-ups, mistakes, errors due to miss-communication or verbal direction."  Fast, easy communication is the key to the efficiency and effectiveness of collaboration technologies.


Another reason that collaboration technologies are valuable is to "accelerate innovation" (expresscomputeronline.com).  When a company is trying to introduce new products, services, or ideas, collaboration technologies are a great way for several people to share ideas and brainstorm in one place so ideas can be sorted and organized easily.  This is also a great way for businesses to connect with their clientele.  Customers can be a part of the innovation process.  Collaboration technologies "support ways to connect communities not only of employees but also of customers, partners and others ‘outside the firewall’ so they can tap into both internal and external knowledge and use that knowledge to accelerate innovation" (expresscomputeronline.com).  Collaboration technologies are extremely useful for innovation and customer involvement.


Works cited:
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20090413/technology02.shtml
http://www.taskmanagementsoft.com/solutions/technology/collaboration-software.php

Benefits of Business Blogging

There are many reasons that a business should have a blog.  It is a very simple and easy way to grow a business and is beneficial to both the business and the consumers. 
First of all, it is a great advertising tool.  It is a quick and easy way to get the product or service out there.  On one page, the business can show its products or services, describe them, discuss new and upcoming products or services, and can post events.  The blog is a free way to send work out about what the company is offering in a detailed manner without seeming overwhelming or overdone.  Advertising is key to business expansion and since the blog is free, it's an efficient and effective tool to do so.

Second, it's a great way to reach into new markets.  The younger generation will love the easy access and inviting setup of the blog, the older generation will appreciate that it is simple and straightforward, and the generations in between will like the simplicity of shopping from the comforts of their own homes.  A well designed blog will be easy to find by web search engine, thus increasing the number of possible customers.  The more people that view a product or service, the greater the chances of one of those individuals buying. There are many different demographics that access the internet to obtain products and services that they need.  A blog is a simple, professional way to reach those different groups and expand the company's customer base.

Finally, the blog is a great way to increase customer loyalty.  when the customer feels he or she has a say in the products and services the company offers, he or she will be more inclined to be loyal to that company.  A blog is an extremely easy way to allow customers to voice their opinions, thought, and comments on what the business is doing.  Keeping in touch with the customer base is a very valuable tool for business expansion and is easily done with a blog. A blog is a great method of expansion for a business.  It is simple, easily accessible, and very valuable to both customer and business professional.  The blog provides three excellent ways for a business to expand: free advertising, helping to expand customer base, and increasing customer loyalty.