Happy Administrative Professionals Week!</h1> <article> <h1>Happy Administrative Professionals Week!</h1> <p>Mike — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:42:00 GMT</p> Another Administrative Professionals Week is upon us wherein we celebrate the hard work and efforts of administrative professionals. Due to the recession and downsizing throughout offices across the country, everyone has had to work harder. That's why this year the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is expanding their celebration to include all office professionals. To recognize everyone's hard work during this difficult time, the theme for the 2011 IAAP Administrative...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2011/04/25/happy-administrative-professionals-week.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Read Across America Day</h1> <p>Mike — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:21:00 GMT</p> Every year, the National Education Association (NEA) celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2 with an event they call Read Across America. This event encourages communities and people of all ages to celebrate the importance of reading and promote literacy by taking time to read their favorite books or to reading to others in classrooms or libraries. Some communities even have large Dr. Seuss-themed parties. All of this reminded me of my favorite Dr. Seuss book. As a young boy, I was fascinated...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2011/03/02/read-across-america-day.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>New year, new goals</h1> <p>tinadh — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:43:00 GMT</p> I'm a big believer in setting goals. When she first met me, my wife laughed at all my lists and especially the list of my life goals. I had goals such as skydiving, running a marathon, getting a quality job (I made this list in college) and of course meeting the woman of my dreams. I have actually accomplished all of these life goals and this August will be 25 years since I met that woman! Starting a new year is a great time to re-evaluate some of our goals and set new ones. It is a new beginning...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2011/01/26/new-year-new-goals.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Season's Greetings</h1> <p>tinadh — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:48:00 GMT</p> It's hard to believe that the holidays have already come around again. We've had some unseasonably warm days in the Chicago area and sometimes only the bare trees outside remind me that winter is on its way. Another sign of the season is that holiday preparations around the building are in full swing and our facilities team has started decorating the stairways and main entrances. We've also started filling jars with change for our annual "Change Wars" fundraiser which raises...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2010/12/02/season-s-greetings.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Problem Found. Problem Solved!</h1> <p>tinadh — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:42:00 GMT</p> Sometimes, it seems, problems can arise in the most unexpected of places. The other day, I was online reading an article at msnbc.com about just how dirty our keyboards at work can get. One cause is that people eat lunch at their desks and then type with sticky and saucy fingers...another is that our natural skin oils rub onto the keys and allow germs to fester and grow. The result of all this stickiness, sauciness and oiliness? A keyboard can actually be up to 5 times dirtier than a toilet seat...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2010/07/23/problem-found-problem-solved.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Hope your Father's Day was great!</h1> <p>tinadh — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:01:00 GMT</p> Last month, I wished all the moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day. Today it only seems right to do the same for all the dads -- Happy Father’s Day! My day was great: I slept in a bit, took a break from the usual chores and relaxed throughout the afternoon. What made the day the most special to me, however, was the fact that my oldest son just came back from his first year away at college. For the first time in more than 3 months, the entire family was together under one roof! Of course...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2010/06/22/hope-your-father-s-day-was-great.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>To all of the Moms out there -- I hope your Mother’s Day was great!</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:56:00 GMT</p> Whether you went out for a fancy brunch or just took a day off from chores around the house, I hope that everyone in your family made you feel extra-pampered and appreciated. You truly deserve this special day for all that you do—we all know you’re the one that keeps everything (and everyone) running like clockwork. I also know that as an administrative assistant or office manager, you’re the go-to person who works long and hard to keep your whole office running right. And while...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2010/05/10/to-all-of-the-moms-out-there-i-hope-your-mother-s-day-was-great.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Spring has sprung!</h1> <p>tinadh — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:28:00 GMT</p> After years of living in the Northeast and Midwest, I've come to think of Spring as a great time of the year. Gone are the days of walking to your car in the dark and freezing cold after a long day of work. Outdoor activities begin to start up again. Some are good (like golfing and baseball--go Red Sox!), some not so good (like spring cleaning the garage). If it's spring cleaning time in your office, I invite you to visit Quill.com and take a look at all the smart solutions we have to help...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/larry/archive/2010/04/15/spring-has-sprung.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Admin's Assistant</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:14:00 GMT</p> How to remember names Forget a phone number? Check your cell phone. Forget important information? Get the answer online. Forget how to get somewhere? Ask your GPS! There are a lot of ways for people to remember important information with the help of technology. But what about something that technology can't help you remember—names? Here are a few things you can do to help you remember names. When you meet a person and hear their name, the first step you can take to remember it is to repeat...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/admin-s-assistant-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Climbing the Ladder</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:12:00 GMT</p> Things you didn’t know you could learn on YouTube Pen Pal doesn't believe its readers would know anything about this, but there seems to be a segment of the workforce that bides their downtime by watching videos on YouTube. It got us thinking, if people must watch videos on YouTube while at work, why not make them productive videos? Here are a few clips that may help enhance your workplace performance. How to use PowerPoint/Adobe Acrobat/Windows 7 and more! YouTube is full of quick tutorials...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/climbing-the-ladder-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Renew You!</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:10:00 GMT</p> How not to be a doormat Many people suffer from doormat syndrome and never even realize it. Being a doormat is not intentional; things just seem to go in that direction for certain individuals. Because these individuals are often so giving, they are constantly taken advantage of. Does this sound familiar to you? If so, then you need to transform your overall situation for the better. First, honestly appraise yourself and make a list of the people and types of situations that threaten, intimidate...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/renew-you-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>News You can Use</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:06:00 GMT</p> Foods you thought were healthy…that aren’t So you’ve decided to start eating a healthier diet? Good for you! Loading up on more nutritious foods and cutting back on the junk is good, not only for your waistline, but also your health and well-being. But before you trade in that fast food burger for that fast food salad, read this. Those calorie-packed foods can be hiding in the most surprising places! Restaurant Salads Cheese, heavy dressings, crunchy noodles, and bacon pack on...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/news-you-can-use-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Family Matters</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:04:00 GMT</p> Eco-friendly products for the home Have you “gone green” at home yet? Finding eco-friendly products for your home is easy, and sometimes all it takes is a trip to a local store or a search online. Many big name stores are stocking their shelves with products that will not only make your home a healthier place to live but are also friendlier to the earth. Target, for example, has an entire green section on their Web site. From reusable tote bags to Burt’s Bees natural beauty products...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/family-matters-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>It's FREE!</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:02:00 GMT</p> Make free Internet phone calls using Skype What could be better than staying in touch with your family and friends, or business colleagues, for FREE? With Skype, it’s possible! Skype, founded in 2003, is a software-based application that allows users to make voice or video calls over the Internet to other Skype members for free. You’re able to talk to anyone worldwide at any time of the day for as long as you would like without a cost to either party. Since the service is primarily computer...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/it-s-free-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Editor's Note</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT</p> Across the United States, company morale is down. According to the article, “Americans’ Job Satisfaction Falls to Record Low,” only 45% of workers are satisfied with their work. This is the lowest number recorded in 22 years! The article goes on to theorize that workers are unhappy not just because we are living through the worst recession since the 1930s, but because fewer workers consider their jobs interesting, incomes have not kept up with inflation, and the soaring cost of...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/03/01/editor-s-note-march-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Admin's Assistant</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:14:00 GMT</p> Tips for reducing your paper usage at the office The world uses about 1 million tons of paper every day and its use is on the rise. Much of this paper is wasteful, unnecessary, and puts huge pressures on the environment. Expanding production and wood harvesting threatens some of the remaining natural forests and the people and wildlife that depend on them. Many businesses and institutions are realizing that they can reduce disposal and paper costs, increase profits and preserve our natural resources...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/admin-s-assistant-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Climbing the Ladder</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:12:00 GMT</p> How to become a start administrative professional As the administrative professional of the office, you’re the go-to person that everyone relies on for some form of support. Although this role can be overwhelming, with the right attitude and skills, you can make yourself stand out. Stay Organized In order to be successful, you need to have an organization system to help yourself work effectively and in an efficient manner. Since your day might start with three tasks and end with five, you will...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/climbing-the-ladder-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Renew You!</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:10:00 GMT</p> Ways to improve your memory Thanks to the Internet and 24-hour news cycles, our brains are constantly bombarded with new information. With so much going on in our heads, it’s sometimes hard to remember the important stuff. Here are a few tips to improve your memory recall. Set reminders. These are kind of a cheat, but they do help in memory recall. Perhaps the most famous reminder is a string wrapped around one’s finger, but in the age of Outlook and iPhones, alert reminders that tell...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/renew-you-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>News You Can Use</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:08:00 GMT</p> It’s American Heart Month. What can you do to protect your heart? Cardiovascular disease is our nation's number one killer. Since 1963, the U.S. Congress has required the president to proclaim every February as “American Heart Month” in order to help urge everyone to join the battle against this disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about every 25 seconds, an American will suffer a heart attack. While some heart attacks are sudden and intense...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/newsyou-can-use-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Family Matters</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:04:00 GMT</p> How to save money on groceries When many families sit down to go through their budget and think about where they can cut costs, few rarely think about their monthly food bill. Saving money when doing your grocery shopping is easier than you may think. By preparing at home, following a few simple steps while at the store, and with a little planning ahead you can reduce your food budget without having to make any major changes. The best place to start when trying to save money on groceries is right...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/family-matters-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>It's FREE!</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:02:00 GMT</p> Where to find FREE photos for marketing materials Your coupon is tempting, your copy is persuasive, and your offer is being sent to all the right people, so why are you still being ignored? Everything these days happens fast. People want tomorrow's facts now and don't have time to wade through the details. Sure, bold headlines grab people's attention, but add a bold image and your customer will be hooked just a little longer. That's great right? No, not if you don't have a budget...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/it-s-free-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Editor's Note</h1> <p>tinadh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT</p> Happy Valentine’s Day! I don’t think any other holiday stirs up more emotion than Valentine’s Day. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. Some of us think it’s only a Hallmark® holiday, while some of us go out of our way to show our significant others how much we care about them. Since I’ve been married for a while, I feel it’s more important to show love to your husband or wife every day, rather than some grand gesture on one specific day. But don’t...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/02/01/editor-s-note-feb-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Healthy Living</h1> <p>tinadh — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:01:00 GMT</p> <p> </p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:medium;">New trends in exercise</span></span></b></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />Exercise trends develop and change very often, and keeping up can be a challenge. If you want to stay fit, here are some new things you can try out! </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Budget-friendly (or more bang for the buck) workouts with 2-on-1 or even 3-on-1 training sessions are a reflection of the current recession. Trainers are now working with couples or maybe a group of friends in the same session in lieu of training just one person. They may even opt to go for half-hour sessions instead of the full hour.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Dance-based classes are fast becoming very popular! Zumba—a fitness program inspired by Latin dance—combines South American rhythms with cardiovascular exercise. Ballroom, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban and other exotic dance styles are growing in popularity, too.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mind-body fitness solutions combine what might seem like opposing exercises—like mind-body movements, plus aerobics. Among these new workouts are Cy-Yo, a 1-hour workout combining 10 minutes of yoga, 40 minutes of intense peddling on a stationary bike, then 10 more minutes of yoga to cool down and refocus your mind. YogaFit workouts merge traditional yoga with a variety of other things, including strength training, core muscle building and firming your glutes. </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">While not totally new, kettlebells are traditional Russian weights that have become very popular within the last year or so. Resembling a cannonball with a handle, kettlebells are great for increasing strength, endurance, agility and balance. They’re particularly effective for strengthening the core, since it requires those muscles to contract as a group.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Getting back to the basics—trainers are again focusing on basic movements and techniques to help their clients. Exercises like push-ups, chair dips, abdominal floor work, lunges or squats can manifest excellent results when done properly. They also can be a great way for someone to stick with an exercise program when they don’t always have access to a gym.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Boot camp-style workouts are very intense and provide a total-body workout that’s both varied and challenging. Participants can burn anywhere from 600-1,000 calories per session while strengthening large muscle groups with pushups, squats and lunges. The downside is that you get yelled at—drill sergeant style.</span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Exercise trends come and go, but in the end you must choose which fitness routine is best suitable for you and your goals. If you haven’t been exercising for awhile, just be sure to ask your physician before getting started, especially if you have any risk factors, like an injury or recent surgery.</span></p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Admin's Assistant</h1> <p>tinadh — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:14:00 GMT</p> How to choose the right calendar to keep you organized this year Choosing the right calendar is an important decision. The right calendar can help you stay organized and focused all year long. First, think about what kind of personality you have. Whether you’re tech savvy, creative or super organized, there's a perfect calendar out there for you! So, what type of calendar do you need? Digital Digital calendar people are always at the computer or carry their PDA or smart phone with them...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/01/01/admin-s-assistant-jan-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> <article> <h1>Climbing the Ladder</h1> <p>tinadh — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:12:00 GMT</p> Think you might get laid off? Here’s what to do! Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs. That, in conjunction with a tough economy, forces some companies to cut back, downsize and eliminate unneeded positions. Although no one wants to fall victim during difficult times, the reality is that some companies are struggling and people are getting laid off. Rather than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, come up with a game plan. Think about ways to make yourself less vulnerable...(<a href="http://morsescode.quill.com/blogs/penpal/archive/2010/01/01/climbing-the-ladder-jan-10.aspx">read more</a>) </article> </main></body></html>