The NierenBlog

Gentle Yoga-- A Great Experience Always- and Especially After "Hurricane Irene"

 

 

 

After a stressful weekend dealing with the preparation, duration and after mass of Hurricane Irene, I thought it was great to write about a friend of mine, Sandra Bernstein who teaches all forms of yoga and the title of her company is appropriate-- "Gentle Yoga with Sandra"

I first met Sandra when we worked together on projects in the pharma world teaching Presentation skills to physicians.

Her story is so inspiring:

Sandra Bernstein, a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, has been practicing yoga for over ten years and received her 200+ hour instructor certification in Hatha, Gentle and Chair Yoga from Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in New York City and Virginia where she was recently certified to teach yoga for arthritis. Sandra has also studied Restorative Yoga and remains committed to helping older adults stay flexible and strong through yoga as it opens their hearts, minds and bodies.

 At age 50, Sandra divorced, closed her business as a speaker trainer and was starting over. Not knowing much about yoga and without any expectations, she took her first class at the New Age Spa in Neversink, NY. ( I have also gone there for years and have taught Stress and Time Management there)

  Leaving class feeling lighter, calmer and renewed, she knew she was hooked.  Years later, after developing arthritis which limits her flexibility to an extent, she decided to focus her teaching on the special needs of people who are physically challenged or older and suffering from the cumulative effects of a sedentary lifetime but still want the health benefits that practicing yoga brings.

 

Today, more than 10 years later, Sandra teaches gentle yoga throughout Westchester County and the Bronx, New York.  Her students range in age from their twenties to well into their nineties.  Her oldest student is 102 years young.This is SO WONDERFUL!!!!

If you would like to relax, renew and refresh at any age-- yoga is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. I am a yogi for the last 5 years-- however still very much a beginner.

 At all ages and in all conditions yoga can help you relax, feel renewed and improve your overall sense of well-being.  Gentle yoga provides the benefits of yoga in a non-strenuous way incorporating easy breathing and stretching techniques that are designed to help reduce stress, decrease anxiety, build strength and help maintain mobility.  It is designed for older adults and individuals who may not have exercised for a long time, have some physical limitations or find that their body has less flexibility. New “yogis” are welcome.

 

To learn more about how Sandra can help you-- email her at sabernstein@optonline.net

She is great!

Namaste

 

 

 

 

 

“Yoga came to my rescue after many personal challenges and has since changed the way I live.  I actively work on connecting the health of my mind, body and spirit and teach to share the blessings I have found later in my life.  My plans for the future:  to teach yoga to my contemporaries when I am in my 80’s!”

 

Sandra founded ICT Impact Communications Techniques to teach executives business speaking skills. She started Gentle Yoga with Sandra while working as a Director of Development for non-profit organizations in Westchester County and New York City.  A graduate of the City University of New York’s Queens College, she also has an MBA from New York’s Baruch College. 

 

 

 

Do You Know Lois Geller!

 

With almost 17,000 loyal Twitter followers and almost 3,000 Linked in and Facebook friends,-- Lois Geller is becoming a household word!

She is the force behind The Lois Geller Marketing Group-- a small agency with very large clients. Many of her clients have been with her since she started her agency in the early 90's under the name of Mason & Geller Direct.  An author of 5 books, international speaker and master consultant on all areas of direct marketing and social media,- Lois is in constant demand.

 A native New Yorker, she moved her agency from Madison avenue to Florida 5 years ago.

It is easy for me to recommend Lois-- she has also been one of my  closest friends since we met in 1986 and took the Dale Carnegie Instructors class together. If that didn't create bonds between people-- nothing would!! It was an amazing and fun experience.

To learn more about Lois and to see how she might help your firm- large or small, visit her at:

www.loisgellermarketinggroup.com

Subscribe to her blog: www.joyofdirectmarketing.com  and be sure to follow her on

Twitter- @LoisGeller

Facebook- www.facebook.com/lois.k.geller

Linked In- www.linkedin.com/in/loisgeller

 

 

 

 

SendOut Cards- Conference- Las Vegas 2011

 

Just returned from a wonderful conference in Las Vegas for SendOutCards , a state of the arts, on line system that I use and also market.

Here I am with two of my friends,and part of my team,Jeff Mines and Diane DiResta and we were busy 24/7 learning, sharing and more excited then ever on what is the "Netflix for the greeting card and gifting industry".

I have always been a strong proponent of the handwritten note- to stay in touch,say thank you,and stay on people's radar screen.

What SendOutCards has done is given this fantastic gesture a modern day tool- combining 'high tech with high touch'.

The company was started by an inspiring man, Kody Bateman who discusses in his best selling book

"Promptings" how to make a difference in someone's life by sending heartfelt cards and gifts.

In our high tech world, we often think of sending a card and then life takes over and we never get to the store or the  post office. SendOut Cards has created an on-line store that does everything- including printing, stuffing and shipping the cards in the U.S. Mail-- ( these are actual cards, NOT ecards)

I encourage you to take 3 minutes out of your life and watch this video and send a free card to anyone in your life on me.  www.appreciationpower.com

 

$1000 Plate of Pasta

 

Last week I had lunch with someone that I had not seen in at least ten years and he reminded me of a story I had written in one of my newsletters that he still uses today when he mentor young attorneys.

I pulled it out and yes-- the story is still very relevant today and I have seen it repeat itself in many situations over the years.

This story took place in 1999!!!!

"CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND A $1,000 PLATE OF PASTA" 

---

Relationships with loyal customers can be ruined if they are taken for granted, and ultimately can affect our business. Here is an example of how someone lost sight of long-term goals for an unnecessary short-term gain.

One night I was having dinner with a client at one of my favorite restaurants. It always had good food and excellent service. We decided to split a pasta dish, because we weren't that hungry. We also ordered wine and two salads. I was surprised when the owner said to me, "I don't split pastas -- even for YOU." My client and I could not believe how someone could be that impudent. Over the previous four years, I had spent more than $1,000 annually at that restaurant, and recommended it to many people.

I decided to order two plates of pasta so that we could continue our meeting. But that was the last meal I was going to eat there. One order of pasta ruined a long-term customer relationship.

This became the perfect story to use at my seminar the following night in New York, where I spoke to 500 people who came to learn about customer service and loyalty. At the end of my presentation, they asked me the name of the restaurant. In order to be diplomatic, I said to them, "I can't tell you the name; let me just say it's on 58th and First Avenue, right hand side on the corner." The restaurant is now under new ownership.

 

Visit a Cultural Resource in South Florida--Run by One of My Favorite Former Bosses

 
    
I had a real treat several weeks ago when I had breakfast with someone I learned alot about selling advertising space from many years ago when I was a salesperson at Manhattan Inc, magazine and Joel Kessler was our Associate Publisher.

Joel and his lovely wife Joan joined me for breakfast when they were visiting New York and it is always so much fun to laugh and reminisce. Joel has always been one of those people that you like immediately, a fantastic salesperson and communicator and the ultimate net worker! He knows All of Florida-- and that's after he covered all of New York!

He is now the Executive Director of The von LIebig Art Center in Naples, Florida.

Visit their website www.naplesart.org and I've enclosed some information about the Center.

If you would like more information-- get in touch with the center and with Joel. As you would see when you call him, everyone becomes his friend.

 

 

The von Liebig Art Center is a cultural resource for Southwest Florida residents and tourists. Run by the Naples Art Association, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the mission of the association is to engage viewers, nurture creative development and promote appreciation for the contemporary visual arts. Nestled behind 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples, this facility is a “must see” local treasure.

................................................................................

Art Festivals & Fairs

The association holds five major art festivals between November and March that attract artists from all over the country. Four of the five festivals are ranked among the top 75 festivals in the country out of thousands by Sunshine Artist Magazine. All work exhibited and sold at the festivals is original and hand-crafted. In addition to the major art festivals, the association also hosts six smaller art festivals the first Saturday of the month November through April featuring high quality work from its members.

Art Exhibitions

In the galleries at The von Liebig Art Center, guests will enjoy stunning exhibitions of regionally, nationally, and internationally-known artists. Throughout the year, visitors will also have the opportunity to view and purchase one-of-kind pieces from many of the local artists here in Southwest Florida. To learn more about what is currently on exhibit, please refer our 2011/2012 schedule or call 239.262.6517 ext 100.

Art Education

The art center offers adult art classes and workshops from September through May. Guests to the area may consider taking a one day up to five day workshop, or sign-up for a class extending out over a 4-6 week time period. Class and workshop offerings are taught at all experience levels and include oil and acrylic painting, ceramics, drawing, watercolor, digital photography and more.

 

 

The Concept of Mentoring

 

 
 
My guest blogger today is my friend, colleague, former client and one of the BEST Instructional Designers and Trainers I have ever met-- Greg Rider. Here he is with his colleague and friend Dawn Mahoney,and they are in front of the tropical foliage at Sea World, while attending the American Socieity of Training and Development conference this year in Orlando, Florida.

 

Mentoring – the concept and the term – seems to be making an appearance a lot these days: in seminars, in books, articles, and websites.  Is it the latest “corporate buzzword” or industry fad among the learned and powerful?  Or is it a meaningful idea that can find relevance in a number of contexts and settings?  I believe it can be all of the above!   I recently had the privilege to serve as an informal mentor for someone who was attending ASTD’s annual International Conference and Expo for the 1^sttime.  (This year it was held in Orlando, FL, from May 20-25.) Boasting an attendance of over 8,000 industry professionals from all over the world, the Conference can be exhilarating, educational, and full of outstanding networking options.  But it also can be overwhelming.  So, I was glad to be able to share some tips to better navigate the entire Conference Experience with  Shawn Richcreek, Director of Field Training with BevMo!, based in Chino Hills, CA.   He was able to meet some of the folks who helped me with my early Conference experiences, and learn how to make the most of his learning experience for the week. For me, this mentoring experience allowed me to implement some of my own tips, further polish my mentoring skills, and meet a new professional colleague! 

What about you?  You don’t need to wait until the next Big Event to serve as a mentor or ask to be mentored.  What areas of expertise and experience are you able to share with others in your workplace, in your community, in your friends and family network?  Are there experiences or skills that you’d like some help from a mentor?  Now’s the time to give mentoring a try!

For a 4-minute overview of the ASTD International Conference and Expo held this past May in Orlando, FL, click on the link below.  I appear around mark 3:50, talking about my experience as a mentor.

www.liquidlearn.com/?p=504

 Greg S. Rider, CPLP

New York, NY

GRiderCPLP@gmail.com

(347) 463-8941

 

Selling With Style and Decor

 

Just returned from a great weekend visiting my dear, lifelong family friend, Trudy Mitchell--who I consider my Godmother and truly one of the most amazing people on this earth. (middle picture). I often write about Trudy who I have known since I was a little girl and she and my Mom were best friends throughout life. Everytime I visit her-- I am more amazed by all she does and how much she and her wonferful husband Bill (married for 62 years and truly one of the world's greatest people who is now in heaven) did for the community.

Through my dear friendship with Trudy, I met and have gotten to know John Clements (bottom picture to left) and Bill Fortson-(right) who are the owners of my favorite store in the world-- BJ's Home Accents www.bjshomeaccents.com    I had the great opportunity to be a guest presenter at the Accessories Resource Team - ART conference in  May and this past week, I had the opportunity to share some sales and marketing suggestions with the great team at BJ's.

Pictured above--from the left-- Bill Forston,Brenda Egbert,Barbara Dietsch, Sandy Butterfield, Melissa Lankford and John Clements

What a great and wonderful time and I encourage anyone who is looking for a gift or to decorate a home, condo or buy anything your heart desires to visit BJ's either on line at www.bjshomeaccents.com  or visit as you drive through Newburgh, Indiana  and call them at 812-853-7381. You will always get hospitality with a smile and terrific service!

You are JUST a Consultant......

 

 

You are “JUST” a Consultant

 Yes—I am and I have been running a business for over 18 years and as all the consultants I know, we take and run our businesses very seriously.

 In fact on a recent trip to Florida, I was commenting to my sister and a friend how when I looked around, it seemed as though the whole city of Sarasota was made up of small businesses and ‘consultants’ and many were doing quite nicely as they worked hard and thrived in the daily economy no matter what and continued to work and also reinvent themselves and how they work continually.

 So—recently when a project from a very large organization cancelled an individual coaching session on the morning of the session because the executive ‘forgot’ (even though there was numerous documentation and follow up and confirmations),  I was disappointed in the fact that:

*I could have booked the time with another client

*That my contract or time didn’t seem to be valued by the other side when the client said 'we'll just reschedule'

 The comment above came about when speaking with the hiring client who at first did not want to honor the cancellation clause that she had signed on the original contract—as she said to me: “We are a very large firm that could give you a lot of business and "you are ‘JUST’ a consultant.”

 I answered, “You are right, I am a consultant and I run my business just as seriously as your firm does …….”

 The end result turned out that we did book another meeting, I was paid for the original time and discounted the next training, yet I still hear her comment in my mind.

 I would appreciate thoughts from other ‘Consultants’ in how they would have handled the situation and from other ‘large organizations’ on their thoughts also on this.

 It only creates a continual win/win for all of us.

 

 

The Search for Answers Goes On--Job Searching

 
My co-author on "Networking for the College Student and Recent Graduates", Professor of Business and Head of Entrepreneurial Studies at DeVry University-- Dr. Michael Faulkner is my guest blogger.

He always has a wealth of information through his continual research.

Read what he has to say on Today's Job Search---

Much of  the FORMAL JOB SEARCH/ CAREER PLANNING TRAINING in our culture, e.g. ( college and HS education, and learning that goes on in other intuitions, by parents, many mentors, free lance educators, free market enterprises (search firms, head hunters, recruiters, placement agencies, etc.)government agencies (job and employment search, job training, etc)still focuses on the least productive approaches for potential job seekers. The approaches continue to focus first on learning the skill or technique in vogue (education is still trend oriented). So the formal job search approach is to teach a skill or technique or college major that industry supposedly needs. This approach is then supported abet weakly and generally  imperfectly and ineffectively by curriculum that includes a huge dose of formal (unproductive and inefficient tools) and not much informal (effective, efficient and successful tools).  The question unanswered is why? What keeps the formal approach on the front burner and using up the recourses when the evidence shows it isn’t the winning formula? That is probably the focus of more research.

 The problem is, this formal approach does not answer the critical need of either the demand side (job seekers) or supply side (job providers) which is information. Each is seeking better and more accurate information about their needs prior to the job search or recruitment of candidates. The research and current literature on the topic shows the formal job seeking methods have been inadequate in providing the necessary quality information. Consequently successful  job seekers  and satisfied job providers have continued doing what they have done for over 100 years and that is rely on the informal job seeking and recruiting methods which are social networking. As the research and  literature on the topic show, job seekers using their own strong networks and  individual “bridges” to weak networks, and individual direct contact with hiring mangers as the most successful methods of job search. In this case, success is just defined as finding a new job.

As Mike summarizes his post-

"There are five points to my social media article that stand out:"

Social media, like the 1980s and 1990s Internet era, is an awakening not of a new media but of the capabilities of communications technology to communicate more effectively.

We can’t make the mistake the Internet pioneers made and think social media is a product or an end service, it’s a way to reach our customers and prospects with our brand, not to sell, but to provide content.

1. Social media marketing requires a strategy – a written plan – just like any business plan, marking plan, communications plan, or promotions plan.
2. Social media must fit your organization’s brand. Not all organizations will find social media technology for them, make sure it is the medium your customers and prospects prefer otherwise don’t employ it.
3. Social media is just one management tool in a whole tool box of tools. It needs to be part of your multi-media, multi channel branding effort and not a standalone effort. Social media must fit like a puzzle part with every other management tool you use as a seamless part of your business tactics.
4. If you adopt social media, don’t copy cat what others have done. Be original and differentiate and demonstrate the value of your social media to your customers and prospects.

Visit with the Success Skills Coach

 

I have the great fortune to  meet all types of great consultants that often become my colleagues and people I want to recommend to those in my  various networks.

Jim Rohrbach, who is the Success Skills Coach is someone I met through one of my clients and he is a frequent contributor to the great on line publication, Horses Mouth and has a wealth of information and content.

To learn more about Jim and read his latest newsletter, click on the link and also visit his website. He is also a great guy!

  http://tinyurl.com/432g32n 

Success Skills Coach Jim Rohrbach

"The Personal Fitness Trainer for Your Business"

Phone:  847 982-3268  Fax:  847 982-3274

Email:  Coach@SuccessSkills.com

Web site:  http://www.SuccessSkills.com