We had a great turnout with lots of wonderful information at our 2010 Leadership Boot Camp! Here are some of the ideas that were shared.
Technology Fitness Boot Camp NotesWednesday, September 29, 2010Speaker: Mimi Thigpen, Senior Vice-President of Strategy, Cox Communications, Inc.
Technology cycles usually last 10 years. Most pundits believe we entered the current cycle in late 2008; this cycle is known as the mobile internet computing cycle. We can gain great insight on what to expect now based on what we have learned from past phases and cycles. First, each new cycle brings more powerful processing power, improved user interfaces, smaller form factors, expanded services, more devices, and lower prices. Second, what used to be available just for high end business users is now available to almost every individual worldwide. Last and bottom line- technology cycles are at the heart of change and expectations have evolved to getting “more for less”.
The mobile internet computing cycle is all about providing instant access to a global library of electronic information, entertainment and communication services anywhere, anytime and on any device. This brings huge challenges and opportunities for both emerging players and incumbent providers. For example, estimates call for 100 times the network traffic we see today and the expectation that search and navigation be customized and accurate for each individual user. The line between creator and consumer are blurring, with high quality user-generated content demanding more and more storage and sharing capabilities.
Some of the most important areas of innovation will occur with the evolution and proliferation of smartphones, cloud computing, and synchronization across all devices. The biggest risk areas to navigate will be the following: the impact of pervasive connectivity, protection of personal information and the loss of face to face social skills as we move to online interactions.
Being technology savvy requires a willingness to learn from the past, courage to ask questions, and a pursuit of balance as we integrate technology into the fiber of our lives.
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Financial Fitness Boot Camp NotesTop Five Steps to Financial SecurityWednesday, September 29, 2010Speaker: Sandra Block, Personal Finance Writer for USA Today
1. Pay off your credit card balance. Last year, Congress approved legislation outlawing some of the industry’s most egregious practices. Still, if you carry a balance, you’re at their mercy. Card issuers can’t raise interest rates on existing balances, but they can hike rates on future purchases as much as they want. Carrying a large balance can hurt your credit score. And if you’re laid off or have a medical emergency, you could find yourself unable to make even minimum payments. Consider this: if you’re carrying a credit card balance with an 18% interest rate, paying it off will guarantee an 18% return. Just try getting that at your bank or in the stock market.
2. If you have a 401k plan, contribute at least enough to get the match. This is free money. It’s also a guaranteed return on your investment. You won’t get that anywhere else. Once you’ve contributed up to the match, try gradually increasing your contributions above that level. You probably won’t have a pension, and Social Security benefits could be reduced by the time you retire. Your 401k is all that stands between retiring at 65 and working until you drop.
3. Don’t put your kids’ college education ahead of your retirement. Many parents have put their retirement savings on hold so they can send their kids to their dream college. This is an admirable goal, but not a smart one. You can borrow money for college education. You can’t borrow for retirement. Also consider the following: your college-age child has his or her entire life to earn income to pay back the loans. You have a much shorter window of time to save for retirement.
4. Order your free credit report. Go to www.annualreport.com, and order your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Then review your credit reports for errors that could hurt your credit score. Take advantage of this service once a year. Unfortunately, you can’t get a free credit score from this site, but if you’re planning to buy a car or house any time soon, consider going to www.myfico.com and buying your credit score. There are also several free sites that will give you an overview of your credit score, such as www.creditkarma.com. You can use these sites to find out where you stand and what you need to do to improve.
5. View your house as a place to live, not an investment or a source of extra cash. Mortgage rates are at record lows and sellers are desperate, so this is a good time to be a buyer. But the collapse of the real estate market has taught us some hard lessons. Don’t buy a house unless you expect to live in it for at least five years. Buy the smallest house in the nicest neighborhood you can afford. And if you’re lucky enough to have home equity, hold on to it. Many homeowners who used their homes as piggy banks to fund new kitchens, vacations and college tuition are now underwater; the value of their home is worth less than the amount they owe on their mortgage. This severely restricts their ability to move if they lose their jobs. View any increase in your home’s value as a bonus, not a given.
Lifestyle Fitness Boot Camp NotesFour Key CompetenciesWednesday, September 29, 2010Speaker: Kelley Black, Founder of Balancing the Executive Life™
1. Mental Agility – Move beyond the “positive psychology” paradigm to a more adaptive model of flexible thinking. Mental agility includes but is not limited to positive psychology. It incorporates proven techniques for moving beyond rigid, fixed thinking patterns to a non-attachment, agility paradigm which is commonly known as “thinking outside the box.” Mental agility fosters flexible, creative, win-win approaches to problem solving. Your mind follows your breath. Change negative, rigid, fixed thinking to its opposite -- creative, flexible thinking in 1-3 minutes by working with Naam Yoga Therapy breathing techniques.
2. Conscious Communication – How are you communicating with yourself as well as others? What is your inner dialogue? You have 60,000 thoughts a day. Each “thought wave” directly impacts your ability to show up as your “best self” and engage effectively with others. Use hand symbols to change your relationship with yourself to one that is more motivating, compassionate and achievement oriented. Silence the inner critic.
3. Be Proactive vs. Reactive – Spiritual masters, great leaders and great athletes have one thing in common. They are all proactive instead of reactive. They do not get caught in other peoples’ emotional commotion. Rather, they stay neutral and are able to keep clearly focused on the job at hand, creating a winning momentum regardless of the circumstance. Contrary to popular belief, neutrality is not a passive state. It is a means of staying completely engaged – opening the door to clarity and a stronger position.
4. Manage Your Energy – Your energy levels are contagious. Energy is also bi-directional. As an executive or manager you are responsible for managing your energy and for filtering out external energies that do not serve you and others. Your energy levels directly impact those around you. By consciously choosing how to allocate and receive energy, you are able to positively effect your mental, emotional and physical states. Breath, hand symbols and mantras such as “I AM” enable you to renew your energy at will and get back on track. Burnout is prevented. Flow states, heightened creativity, motivation and inspiration are sustainable.
For more information regarding Balancing the Executive Life Programs and Naam Coaching visit www.balancingexec.com.