Communications Is a Contact Sport!

Broken Links a Problem?

2008-09-23T13:35:00.002-03:00

Do you often insert web links in your emails? Sometimes, web links are extremely long ... and sometimes the links break when word wrap occurs in the recipients email box. Then the recipient has to paste it back together (if they know how!). Here's a solution that's free and works like a charm. It is being used by large companies so has received the stamp of approval from the corporate types (example: entertainment companies like AllAccess.com). Go to http://tinyurl.com and read the brief explanation ... I never downloaded the stuff ... I just use the online version. JB

Business Social Networks

2008-05-27T11:56:00.001-03:00

Familiar with Facebook? Appreciate what a social network can do for you as an individual? Well, a business compatriot alerted me to three "facebook-like" business social networks: LinkedIn, Xing and Plaxo. Linked In uses the slogan 'Relationships Matter' and promotes that they "bring together your professional network". XING billboards the web site's ability to "power relationships for the world’s business professionals". Plaxo indicates that they help you, "stay in touch with the people you care about". I have only recently started using these web sites therefore cannot comment on their value to a business professional. Just like the on-going battle between users of facebook and myspace, there are those who are proponents of LinkedIn and others who are big supporter and users of Xing. I am advised that in Halifax LinkedIn is the favourite. Here on Cape Beton ... time will tell! (www.xing.com, www.linkedin.com, www.plaxo.com) DJB

Photo Touch-up ...

2008-04-18T11:46:00.002-03:00

Need to touch up photos on an occasional basis? Connected to the internet? Like free programs? Well, Adobe’s just launched Photoshop Express. It's a web-based version of Photoshop and enables you to quickly crop, touch-up and apply effects to any of your images. You have to establish an account (free) and choose a password. Watch the sharing options ... otherwise your photos will be available to everyone on the web. Great resource for those of us who only need photo enhancement and/or photo manipulation on an occasional basis. DJB

Hey It's Free!

2008-03-11T14:16:00.005-03:00

This will definitely interest you if your company or non-profit organization is working on a project. Telus offers free online project management through a service called Telus ePoint Lite. For futher info go to http://promo.telus.com/ePoint/ePoint-projectmanagement.htm?cmp=bs07ePtG&link=projectmanagment.

Similar services are offered through Google but the Telus service puts it all in one sign in location. Check it out and let me know ehat you think! DJB

Screen Size Versus Web Design

2008-03-04T00:57:00.004-04:00

Ah, I ask the question: "Why are most of the web pages designed for a small screen size (monitor resolution) of 800 X 600 when more than 80% of the world's computer users use higher resolution

For your info, here are the latest stats from OneStat.com regarding the most popular screen resolutions on the web:

1. 1024 x 768 57.38%
2. 800 x 600 18.23%
3. 1280 x 1024 14.18%
4. 1152 x 864 4.95%
5. 1600 x 1200 1.67%
6. 1280 x 800 1.56%
7. 1600 x 1024 0.55%

It's time for web masters to upgrade to larger text, more pics, less-cluttered layout! JB

The Two Minute Rule!

2008-02-22T12:52:00.003-04:00

The Two Minute Rule From Author - David Allen

Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term.

Hey ... this is so simple and obvious that we probaby don't do it ... even though we should ... JB

Great Paper!

2008-02-15T12:31:00.001-04:00

I write large … sometimes I like to sketch or do spider-web thinking (creative mapping) … I am always looking for paper or a note pad that will let me do both … probably could have designed my own if I had the time … problem solved … recently while I was surfing, I came across a company called Doane Paper … their main product combines the benefits of lined and grid paper on a single sheet … yes you can buy a supply from them … or even better, you can download a PDF and print your own … for the PDF go to http://www.doanepaper.com/dppdf2.pdf ... or go to their main page at http://www.doanepaper.com/ … JB

Mobile Phone Etiquette

2008-02-01T14:43:00.002-04:00

Tips From an artcle by Dr Pieter E. Streicher
Managing Director at BulkSMS.com.

Use text messaging to reduce the social intrusion of a call. When a mobile call is replaced by a text message it is less intrusive as it gives the recipient an opportunity to reply or call back when
convenient. Mobile phones should be viewed differently from fixed line phones.

Unlike fixed line phone calls, mobile calls are often received in situations requiring our focused attention such as driving a car, during meetings, or at social gatherings. The public use of the mobile phone intrudes into the social space of anybody within earshot, making a private communication a public spectacle.

Enable the "Silent" setting on your mobile phone in public places or open offices spaces. This will allow you to minimise the noise your ringtone or message alert makes in areas where several people may be disturbed by a ringing or beeping mobile phone. This is something that phone manufacturers could help with to make it easier, by including a simple switch for example.

Use text messaging like a pager. This is an unobtrusive way to get hold of a person as there is no immediate compulsion to reply to the message. If a mobile is turned off, the text will be delivered shortly after it is switched on. When fixed line calls are not answered it is assumed that no one is home. It is therefore acceptable to continue calling a fixed line number until someone answers. In contrast, a mobile phone is usually carried on your person. When a mobile call is
not answered it may not be an opportune time to speak. It may be viewed as unnecessary harassment if calls are made continuously to a mobile phone.

Use text messaging as a notepad. Request callers to text the required details after the call. A pen and notepad are common items near fixed line phones for writing down instructions and phone numbers. In contrast, it is often difficult to take notes during a mobile conversation, especially when driving a car (with a hands-free kit) or when listening to multiple voice messages.

Change your voicemail greetings to include: "Don't leave a message, rather text me".

Send a text message instead of leaving a voicemail. This removes the need to write down details while listening to messages. Furthermore, scrolling through text messages is much quicker than listening to many voicemail messages.

Use text messages to send regular updates on a business process directly to a customer's mobile phone. Businesses are finding that customers appreciate receiving regular updates in any extended business process; such as the repairing of a car, the delivery of items ordered online, or when new a cheque book is available for collection.

Avoid the inappropriate use of text messaging. Consumers do not appreciate unwanted marketing messages. Unwanted messages are seen as spam.

Welcome

2008-01-30T02:03:00.001-04:00

Welcome to our communications blog ... lots of useful information and ideas are on the way ...
--
D.L. Jay Bedford
EastQuest Communications
PO Box 1851, Sydney NS Canada B1P 6W4
Phone (Canada) 902-577-7209
Phone (USA) 646-825-9944
Text Message: 902-577-7209

"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring
production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid." Frank
Zappa