LEADERSHIP

5 Tips for Renewing Yourself as a Leader

1) Take a time-out each day. Put a “Gone Thinking” sign on your door and don’t let anyone disturb you.
2) Pursue hobbies and interests outside your business. They’ll provide relaxation and may inspire creative ideas that you can feed back into the business.
3) Take a vacation or a sabbatical. (But first, make sure you leave the company in good hands!)
4) Spend time with your family. Kids provide a refreshing perspective.
5) Do something you’ve always wanted to do but never did—learn to build a house, or take a course in acting.


5 Tips on Managing Yourself

1) Recognize when you’ve outrun your abilities. When one entrepreneur saw that her skills were not adequate to manage her company, she hired a president to handle day-to-day operations.
2) Get a CEO coach. Skilled consultants can help you learn how to take your company to the next level. SCORE can help.
3) Open yourself to being transformed. Listen, really listen, to employees. Let go of old notions of leadership (managing by fear, for example).
4) Be self-aware. Many business owners say self-awareness is essential to understanding what leadership style works for you.
5) Be a servant leader. Consider it your responsibility to serve employees and customers.

SUCCESS STORY

Vermont Teddy Bear Company

SCORE Counselors are the Bearers of Good Advice for Teddy Bear Entrepreneur.

Sortino first got the idea for making teddy bears in 1980, not long after the birth of his first son. “He had 38 stuffed animals, not one of which was made in the U.S.,” Sortino recalls. “So, I made him one—named ‘Bearcho.’ I made others and soon fell in love with idea of making them.”

“Bearcho” became the ancestor of millions of other cuddy, customized teddy bears created by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, the Shelburne-based business that Sortino founded a few years later. Made famous through its memorable radio ads and wide range of gift options, the company has capitalized on America’s long-standing love affair with the toy by creating customized teddy bears and shipping them to lucky recipients via specially designed “BearGrams.”

But while the Vermont Teddy Bear Company has indeed become one of the nation’s true business success stories, Sortino recalls that he was no different from other entrepreneurs who sometimes need help to turn their vision into reality.

“When possible, people should talk to SCORE counselors and get different perspectives, because they have so much information and experience to share. It’s like the gods of business coming in to help you be successful.”
—John Sortino, business consultant and founder, Vermont Teddy Bear Company

“Having a business sounds like a wonderful dream, but it’s really very tough,” he says. “You’re by yourself, your plans may not be working out, and you’re trying to figure out how to solve problems or keep things growing.”

Sortino faced no shortage of those challenges in trying to get his teddy bear business off the ground. When local retailers were initially reluctant to market the hand-crafted toys, he began selling them from a pushcart in Burlington, Vermont’s famous downtown marketplace. The bears’ popularity led to a small manufacturing operation and efforts to wholesale the products to specialty stores.

“The moral of Jim’s story was that customers often associate product details with quality,” Sortino says. “That story became a life lesson in marketing that I’ve used ever since. We began working details into our ads such as how our bears had 14 stitches per inch. We also expanded our radio advertising to New York City and other Northeast markets. It didn’t take long for sales to start climbing again.”

When Sortino planned a new factory to meet the increasing demand, he again called SCORE. Al Huber, an expert in factory operations, helped to engineer the bear-making process, including setting up the various manufacturing stages.

By the early 1990s, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company had become a national phenomenon. Soon after transitioning from a privately held business to a public corporation, the company was ranked 21st on Inc. magazine’s list of fastest growing public companies in 1994. The company has since added Internet shopping and broadened its product offering to include other gift items.

Sortino left the Vermont Teddy Bear Company in 1995 to pursue other interests, and he is now a highly sought-after business consultant. He also authored the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Successful Entrepreneuring, now in its fifth printing, and he is currently negotiating to write a series of business books for high school students.

source : http://www.vermonteddybear.com/

CARA MUDAH MENGHEMAT UANG ANDA

1) Catat Pemasukan Dan Pengeluaran Uang Anda
Buat rencana pemasukan dan rencana pengeluaran di mana setiap akhir bulan harus ada banyak uang yang ditabung. Disiplin ketat dan jangan pernah melanggar anggaran yang ada kecuali sangat penting dan mendesak.
2) Musnahkan / Simpan Jauh-Jauh Kartu Kredit Dan Kartu ATM Anda
Kemudahan untuk berhutang dan mengambil uang tabungan akan menjebak anda dalam kenikmatan mengeluarkan uang. Oleh karena itu sebaiknya uang cash anggaran bulanan anda simpan di rumah tanpa boleh mengutak-atik kartu-kartu penarik uang anda dan uang yang ada di bank.
3) Hilangkan Gengsi Dan Hobi Mahal Anda
Kalau anda malu terlihat kere dan katro, mulai saat ini anda harus berani tampil kere dan katro di hadapan kenalan anda, jika perlu pindah rumah dan mulai kehidupan baru yang kere dan katro. Sebenarnya tidak sampai harus kere dan katro, tapi lebih tepatnya hidup sederhana di mana pengeluaran anda hanya pada yang penting-penting dan murah meriah. Ubah hobi mahal seperti jalan-jalan ke luar negeri dengan jalan-jalan di komplek/kampung rumah anda. Yang hobi ke gym / pusat kebugaran ganti dengan lari joging keliling kampung atau main bola / badminton di lapangan dekat rumah atau di jalanan.
4) Hemat Pengeluaran Besar Rutin Anda
Tagihan biaya administrasi kartu kredit, pajak, pbb, listrik, air pam, tv kabel, tv satelit, sekolah elit anak, telepon, dsb yang jumlahnya sangat besar sebaiknya dihilangkan saja. Contohnya seperti berhenti berlangganan kartu kredit, koran majalah, tv & internet bulanan, dll atau pindah ke rumah baru yang kecil dan sederhana untuk menghemat biaya pln, pam, pbb, telepon, dsb. Kalau senang telepon-teleponan ubah dengan bicara langsung atau gunakan telpon seperlunya tidak bertele-tele.
5) Ubah Penggunaan Transportasi Yang Mahal
Dari yang biasa naik mobil pribadi ke mana-mana sebaiknya anda jual mobilnya dan beli sepeda motor. Kalau sering naik taxi dan ojek motor, sekarang gunakan motor pribadi, angkot atau jalan kaki.
6) Makan Dan Minum Di Rumah Saja Atau Bawa Dari Rumah
Yang pasti membuat makanan dan minuman sendiri yang sederhana biayanya lebih murah daripada jajan di luar. Sarapan di rumah, makan siang dari bekal yang di bawa dari rumah, makan malam di rumah, dll. Kalau lagi ngidam makanan enak lebih baik ditahan saja kalau perlu puasa utuk mengilangkan nafsu bejad yang menghancurkan keuangan anda.
7) Terapkan Gaya Hidup Sederhana Pada Anggota Keluarga
Paksa anak, istri atau suami anda untuk menerima kenyataan pahit bahwa kita harus hidup sederhana karena hidup sederhana adalah awal dari kebahagiaan yang sejati. Mereka pun harus siap hidup miskin kapan saja jika Tuhan menghendaki.
8) Hentikan Kebiasaan Bodoh Anda
Bagi anda yang merokok, minum miras, memakai narkoba, main jablay, selingkuh, melakukan tindak kriminal dan dosa, dsb hentikan segera kebiasaan itu karena tidak ada gunanya dan itu semua hanya membakar uang dan menghancurkan hidup anda baik di dunia maupun di akherat.
9) Hemat Belanja Anda Dan Jaga Nafsu Belanja Anda
Yang doyan belanja / shopping sebaiknya buat daftar belanjaan sesuai anggaran / budget yang telah dibuat agar tidak mudah tergoda dengan barang yang dijajakan selain yang anda butuhkan. Pastikan produk yang anda beli tidak mahal yang penting fungsi sama dan kualitas tidak buruk. Jika anda ngebet ingin membeli sesuatu, maka gunakan jurus manipulasi otak anda seolah-olah anda telah membeli barang itu namun sampai dirumah hilang digondol tikus.

sumber : organisasi.org

CERITA TERAKHIR DORAEMON

Have you heard about the story that is said to be the last episode of the Doraemon series? It is unofficial, yet it is very famous and widely distributed using forwarded emails since the 90’s. Although the widely-known English version of the story is quite shorter than the original version which is written in Japanese, it still contains the main part of the story.

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Pernah dengar cerita yang katanya episode terakhir seri Doraemon? Walaupun ga resmi ceritanya sangat terkenal dan disebar luas lewat forwardan email sejak tahun 90-an. Walaupun versi Inggrisnya yang dikenal luas lebih singkat dari aslinya yang berbahasa Jepang, inti ceritanya tetap terkandung di dalamnya.
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RENUNGAN

SEBUAH PILIHAN YANG SULIT

Menjelang istirahat suatu kursus pelatihan, sang pengajar mengajak para peserta untuk melakukan suatu permainan. ‘Siapakah orang yang paling penting dalam hidup Anda?’
Pengajar meminta bantuan seorang peserta maju ke depan kelas.” Silakan tulis 20 nama yang paling dekat dengan kehidupan Anda saat ini”
Peserta perempuan itu pun menuliskan 20 nama di papan tulis. Ada nama tetangga, teman sekantor, saudara, orang-orang terkasih dan lainnya.
Kemudian pengajar itu menyilakan memilih, dengan mencoret satu nama yang dianggap tidak penting. Lalu siswi itu mencoret satu nama, tetangganya. Selanjutnya pengajar itu menyilakan lagi siswinya mencoret satu nama yang tersisa, dan siswi itu pun melakukannya, sekarang ia mencoret nama teman sekantornya. Begitu seterusnya.
Sampai pada akhirnya di papan tulis hanya tersisa 3 nama. Nama orang tuanya, nama suami serta nama anaknya. Di dalam kelas tiba-tiba terasa begitu sunyi. Semua peserta pelatihan mengalihkan pandangan ke pengajar. Menebak-nebak apa yang selanjutnya akan dikatakan oleh pengajar itu. Ataukah, selesai sudah tak ada lagi yang harus di pilih.
Namun dikeheningan kelas sang pengajar berkata : “Coret satu lagi !!”Dengan perlahan dan agak ragu siswi itu mengambil spidol dan mencoret satu nama. Nama orang tuanya. “Silakan coret satu lagi !” Tampak siswi itu larut dalam permainan ini. Ia gelisah. Ia mengangkat spidolnya tinggi-tinggi dan mencoret nama yang teratas dia tulis sebelumnya. Nama anaknya. Seketika itupun pecah isak tangis di kelas.
Setelah suasana sedikit tenang, pengajar itu lalu bertanya : “Orang terkasih Anda bukan orang tua dan anak Anda? Orang tua yang melahirkan dan membesarkan Anda. Anda yang melahirkan anak. Sedang suami bisa dicari lagi. Mengapa Anda memilih sosok suami sebagai orang yang paling penting dansulit dipisahkan?”
Semua mata tertuju pada siswi yang masih berada di depan kelas. Menunggu apa yang hendak dikatakannya.” Waktu akan berlalu, orang tua akan pergi meninggalkan saya. Anakpun demikian.Jika ia telah dewasa dan menikah, ia akan meninggalkan saya juga. Yang benar-benar bisa menemani sayadalam hidup ini hanyalah suami saya.“

sumber : www.robert-id.com

GLOBAL WARMING

Top 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming

1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
2) Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning

Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.
Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
3) Change a Light Bulb

Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.
If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.
4) Drive Less and Drive Smart

Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community’s mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.
When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
5) Buy Energy-Efficient Products

When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.
Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
6) Use Less Hot Water

Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry.
7) Use the "Off" Switch

Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them.
It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. You'll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource.
8) Plant a Tree

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
9) Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company

Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
10) Encourage Others to Conserve

Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.
These 10 steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.

TIPS BAGI PENGENDARA SEPEDA MOTOR

Agar Helm Anda Tidak Bau Apek

1) Buka kaca penutup, khususnya jenis full face, saat helm tak digunakan. Karena bila dibiarkan tertutup, udara pengap dan bau bekas keringat bakal terus terperangkap di dalam helm. Bau menyengat juga akan timbul bila tak tersentuh sinar matahari dalam waktu lama. Hawa panas dalam helm akan mengendap pada lapisan busa dan inilah yang menyebabkan bau tak sedap.
2) Biasakan menjemur helm setelah penggunaan pada perjalanan jarak jauh. Atau perawatan setidaknya dilakukan sepekan sekali, untuk penggunaan harian di Indonesia. Letakan helm dalam posisi terbalik dengan kaca dan seluruh bagian ventilasi terbuka. Ruang terbuka bagian bawah helm mempercepat penguapan butiran keringat dalam helm. Dan sinar ultra violet matahari mampu menetralisasi bar keringat itu.
3) Ketika menyimpan helm, perhatikan fungsi ventilasi agar tetap terbuka sehingga udara bersirkulasi dengan baik. Salah satu cara termudah, buka kaca dan seluruh lubang ventilasi. Bau sisa keringat akan bersirkulasi dan memiliki jalan keluar untuk menguap.
4) Jangan lupa menaruh wewangian seperti misalnya kapur barus, ketika helm tak digunakan. Namun, hati-hati memilih jenis pengharum untuk itu. Jika menggunakan minyak wangi, maka pilih yang mengandung kadar alkohol rendah. Bila terpaksa memakai pewangi beralkohol tinggi, usahakan saat menggunakannya dalam jumlah sedikit. Karena busa helm cepat kering dan kisut bila sering terkena alkohol.
5) Gunakan pewangi beralkohol tinggi secara tepat, seperti misalnya hanya menyemprotkan sedikit dalam jarak cukup jauh dari target. Lalu bila kaca helm terkena alkohol, segera bersihkan dengan tisu atau kain halus. Sebab, senyawa pewangi ternyata akan mempermudah timbulnya jamur pada kaca helm.
6) Poles bagian luar helm dengan pasta pengkilap secara merata. Fungsinya selain untuk menjaga ketahanan warna helm, debu juga tidak mudah menempel.
7) Selesai dipoles dan diharumkan, simpan helm di tempat bebas debu dan tidak mudah terkena matahari secara langsung. Namun jangan juga menaruh helm pada lingkungan lembab. Supaya wewanggian tak terlalu menyengat, kala menyimpan helm buka seluruh ventilasi dan kaca helmnya.

sumber : http://www.wahanaartha.com/