It's important to understand that no career test can pinpoint precisely what you should be. Rather, career test results merely give you some idea of careers you might want to explore, given your interests, your skills and abilities and your personality. That's all -- no more, no less.
Testing Options
But that alone is a pretty good benefit. So take a trip to your campus career center and see if the counselors there offer any of the following career tests:
* Strong Interest Inventory (SII): The SII is all about your interests, or what you like to do. You answer questions about various activities, and then the test results suggest some general-interest areas and specific occupations you may want to consider. You also wind up with a sense of where your interests lie in six broad areas: social (helping, instructing), investigative (researching, analyzing), conventional (accounting, processing data), artistic (creating or enjoying art), enterprising (selling, managing) and realistic (building, repairing).
* Self-Directed Search (SDS): Similar in scope to the SII but shorter and quicker, the SDS is another popular tool that measures your interests and points you toward -- or away from -- the six areas listed above.
* Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): The MBTI measures your personality -- in essence, what makes you tick. The first of its four scales tells you how you prefer to focus your attention -- whether you're extraverted or introverted. The other scales measure how you look at things (sensing vs. intuitive), how you generally make decisions (thinking vs. feeling) and how you deal with the world around you (judging vs. perceiving). Combined, this information can help you understand what type of work you'd like to do, with whom, how, why and even where.
* Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS): The CAPS is one of the few career tests that does have right and wrong answers, and it is also timed. Essentially, you attempt to answer questions in eight different areas -- ranging from mechanical reasoning and spatial relations to verbal reasoning and language usage -- all in a predetermined amount of time. When you're done, you have a wonderful idea of where your natural abilities lie. You haven't just guessed about them, you've actually demonstrated them, if only on a test.
* JASPER: Monster's Job Assets & Strengths Profiler: This tool, offered by Monster, allows you to evaluate your workplace personality and leadership styles to get an idea of how others see you. You can leverage this knowledge in your job search.
Remember: That old admonition you often hear on TV, "This is a test. This is only a test," applies here as well. Your career test results aren't going to tell you anything. But they will point you in some specific and potentially fruitful directions, one of which may well be the major or career you confidently decide to pursue.
This article originally appeared on Monster.com.
20 August 2007
Fighting for Hearts & Minds for What?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
'Human cockfighting'
After years of being tarred by politicians ("human cockfighting," Sen. John McCain once called it) and roundly ignored by the nation's sports pages, mixed martial arts is coming to a state near you -- if it hasn't already arrived. Thirty state athletic commissions sanction the sport. And in its push for 50, UFC has not only changed its own rules substantially, it's also changing the rules on your TV set, for rival sports and for the wider culture.
Mr. Ratner has steered a mixed-martial-arts bill through the Illinois legislature, and it awaits the governor's signature. In Michigan, he's gotten one through the House, and the Senate is likely to approve it shortly. Mr. Ratner will spend the coming weeks hopscotching through New York, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
"I may never have a fight in Iowa or Idaho," said UFC President Dana White, "but I want it legal there, too."
This isn't just about bringing UFC fights to Madison Square Garden -- though that's part of it. It's a strategic, rear-guard action to protect the sport from its barbaric past....MORE
Links:
http://www.ufc.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_martial_arts
'Human cockfighting'
After years of being tarred by politicians ("human cockfighting," Sen. John McCain once called it) and roundly ignored by the nation's sports pages, mixed martial arts is coming to a state near you -- if it hasn't already arrived. Thirty state athletic commissions sanction the sport. And in its push for 50, UFC has not only changed its own rules substantially, it's also changing the rules on your TV set, for rival sports and for the wider culture.
Mr. Ratner has steered a mixed-martial-arts bill through the Illinois legislature, and it awaits the governor's signature. In Michigan, he's gotten one through the House, and the Senate is likely to approve it shortly. Mr. Ratner will spend the coming weeks hopscotching through New York, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
"I may never have a fight in Iowa or Idaho," said UFC President Dana White, "but I want it legal there, too."
This isn't just about bringing UFC fights to Madison Square Garden -- though that's part of it. It's a strategic, rear-guard action to protect the sport from its barbaric past....MORE
Links:
http://www.ufc.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_martial_arts
15 August 2007
No Worker Left Hanging
American Society of Employers - Update Articles, August 2007
by: Pat Goggin
Governor Jennifer Granholm unveiled her long-awaited - No Worker Left Behind program on August 1st.
The program is designed to retrain upwards of 100,000 displaced Michigan workers to prepare them with what the Governor describes as, complex skills needed in cutting-edge industries that will fuel future economic growth.
The vision is that workers who take advantage of this opportunity will be at the front of the line and able to take advantage of high-demand jobs such as those found in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology and renewable energy. The program also targets entrepreneurial endeavors.
The program is generous; an individual may qualify for up to $5,000 per year for two years at a state college or university, as well as at licensed proprietary schools such as ASE. The program even provides resources for childcare.
One does not need to be unemployed to take advantage of the program. Any person who has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment, or any employed person with a family income of $40,000 or less, may qualify, according to a fact sheet put out by the Governor's office.
Participants must, however, complete a skills assessment administered by Michigan Works!
The program takes into account the business climate in the different regions of the State. It will align training opportunities geographically with high-demand occupations available in that region.
Michigan Works! will assist these new workers in finding opportunities, as well as work with employers to identify qualified applicants. Participants must pursue either an associate's degree or occupational certificate in a high-demand occupation. Completion of a Bachelor�s degree or even a Master's degree may also qualify.
Those interested and qualified may begin the process immediately, but they need to be confident of their decision; this is a one-time offer and available on a first-come, first-served basis. An individual has three years in which to sign up and four years in which to complete the program
To fund the program, the Governor plans to use $37 million of federal money formerly earmarked for job training. Despite the current budget crunch in the state, the Governor hopes for an eventual $40 million of additional state funding. Ms. Granholm says that by redirecting federal funds currently used for job training, the program will make Michigan more attractive to job-creating businesses.
For additional information about No Worker Left Behind, call Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKs, or e-mail them at nwlb@michigan.gov, or visit their website at:
www.michigan.gov/nwlb">http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb">www.michigan.gov/nwlb
Source:
www.michigan.gov; http://www.michigan.gov/documents/nwlb/NWLB_FAQ_final1_201864_7.pdf
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/nwlb/Update3_Aug07_204557_7.pdf
Working with CLAAY
Duquesne University’s Career Literacy for African American Youth (CLAAY) is a program that assist middle and high school students to define, pursue and achieve their career and academic goals through career mentoring, tutoring and related programs.
CLAAY is looking for career mentors to work with middle school and high school students during the 2007-2008 school year. This school-based career mentoring and academic tutoring program serves students in ten high schools in the City of Pittsburgh, at McKeesport Area Technology Center, and in five school districts in Beaver County (Aliquippa, Ambridge, Beaver Falls, Freedom and Rochester).
This fall CLAAY will begin working with students at Woodland Hills High School. The time commitment for CLAAY career mentoring is 16 hours during the school year (3 hour mentor training and 13 hour school-based career mentoring). CLAAY career mentors meet with their student at their school two hours per month between October 2007 and May 2008.
CLAAY is seeking enthusiastic, motivated, and committed volunteers who desire to make a positive impact on the future career direction of students in our region.
If you interested in becoming a CLAAY career mentor and/or need more information about the CLAAY program, please contact Damon Bethea at 412.325.1565 x31 or
at damon@winnets.com.
Please feel free to also check out our Website at www.ccwd.duq.edu/claay.
13 August 2007
yesterday, tomorrow, today
Ghetto Life 101
The audio diaries of LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman, two young boys living in one of the most notorious public housing projects in America.
The candor in Jones and Newman's diaries brought listeners face to face with a portrait of poverty and danger and their effects on childhood in one of Chicago's worst housing projects.
Like Vietnam War veterans in the bodies of young boys, Jones and Newman described the bitter truth about the sounds of machine guns at night and the effects of a thriving drug world on a community...MORE
ONLY Six Ways?
From Kimeiko Hotta Dover,
Your Guide to Adult / Continuing Education.
Six Smart Ways to Improve Adult Education
In the study, New Skills for a New Economy:
Adult Education's Key Role in Sustaining Economic Growth and Expanding Opportunity, MassInc offers six suggestions for improving adult education to alleviate Massachusetts' basic work skills deficiency. Adult education programs everywhere can benefit from these suggestions:
1. Offer weekend classes- while a significant number of Adult Basic Education (ABE) class registrants indicate a preference for studying on Saturdays, less than two percent of ABE classes are currently offered on that day. There are no classes offered on Sundays, and registrants are not asked whether they would like to study on Sundays.
2.
Retain experienced full-time teachers - although full-time teachers are signficant determiners of program quality, just over one-third of Massachusetts' ABE teachers work full-time. Attrition in ABE is high - almost three-quarters of the ABE teachers have been with their programs for less than three years.
3. Technology and distance learning - increase the availability of these flexible learning options.
4. Funding - most ABE funds are presently granted to community-based private providers who arrange classrooms and hiring on a class-by-class basis. MassINC argues that this arrangement makes the system more fragile than if the funds were directed at institutions with permanent staff and infrastructures.
5. Intensity of instruction - short, intensive classes appear to yield better results than brief periods of instruction conducted over a long period of time.
6. Link ABE to the workplace - offer classes in workplaces, with employers paying employees to attend at least half of the class.
Your Guide to Adult / Continuing Education.
Six Smart Ways to Improve Adult Education
In the study, New Skills for a New Economy:
Adult Education's Key Role in Sustaining Economic Growth and Expanding Opportunity, MassInc offers six suggestions for improving adult education to alleviate Massachusetts' basic work skills deficiency. Adult education programs everywhere can benefit from these suggestions:
1. Offer weekend classes- while a significant number of Adult Basic Education (ABE) class registrants indicate a preference for studying on Saturdays, less than two percent of ABE classes are currently offered on that day. There are no classes offered on Sundays, and registrants are not asked whether they would like to study on Sundays.
2.
Retain experienced full-time teachers - although full-time teachers are signficant determiners of program quality, just over one-third of Massachusetts' ABE teachers work full-time. Attrition in ABE is high - almost three-quarters of the ABE teachers have been with their programs for less than three years.
3. Technology and distance learning - increase the availability of these flexible learning options.
4. Funding - most ABE funds are presently granted to community-based private providers who arrange classrooms and hiring on a class-by-class basis. MassINC argues that this arrangement makes the system more fragile than if the funds were directed at institutions with permanent staff and infrastructures.
5. Intensity of instruction - short, intensive classes appear to yield better results than brief periods of instruction conducted over a long period of time.
6. Link ABE to the workplace - offer classes in workplaces, with employers paying employees to attend at least half of the class.
What do employers want?
What do employers want?
In 1995, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published the results of an international adult literacy survey (IALS) in the report, "Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society."
The study compared adult literacy skills in twelve countries, including the English-speaking nations of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
IALS examined three types of literacy:
Prose - the ability to understand and use information from texts such as editorials, news stories, poems and fiction.
Document - the ability to understand and use information in various formats, including job applications, payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables and graphics.
Quantitative - the ability to apply arithmetic operations in activities such as balancing a chequebook, calculating a tip or determining interest on a loan.
Survey participants were graded on a five level scale:
Level 1 - very low level literacy - may not be able to determine an appropriate dose of medication from its label.
Level 2 - low level literacy - can perform simple tasks using material that is simple and clearly laid out.
Level 3 - basic literacy - the minimum desirable level by employers in most countries.
Levels 4 and 5 - high literacy - able to integrate several sources of information and solve complex problems.
Factors such as computerization, technological change and global competition have led to greater demands upon employees.
Employers increasingly demand minimum literacy levels of 3 or higher from their workers....MORE
In 1995, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published the results of an international adult literacy survey (IALS) in the report, "Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society."
The study compared adult literacy skills in twelve countries, including the English-speaking nations of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
IALS examined three types of literacy:
Prose - the ability to understand and use information from texts such as editorials, news stories, poems and fiction.
Document - the ability to understand and use information in various formats, including job applications, payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables and graphics.
Quantitative - the ability to apply arithmetic operations in activities such as balancing a chequebook, calculating a tip or determining interest on a loan.
Survey participants were graded on a five level scale:
Level 1 - very low level literacy - may not be able to determine an appropriate dose of medication from its label.
Level 2 - low level literacy - can perform simple tasks using material that is simple and clearly laid out.
Level 3 - basic literacy - the minimum desirable level by employers in most countries.
Levels 4 and 5 - high literacy - able to integrate several sources of information and solve complex problems.
Factors such as computerization, technological change and global competition have led to greater demands upon employees.
Employers increasingly demand minimum literacy levels of 3 or higher from their workers....MORE
from the desk of Natalie Green
CONTACT Pittsburgh Volunteers Needed!
CONTACT Pittsburgh, a crisis and suicide hotline, is looking for nonjudgmental listeners to provide immediate emotional support to adults and teens. Volunteer Crisis Line Specialists are needed to work at the center’s crisis hotline, which is staffed 365 days a year.
Last year, trained volunteers handled more than 20,000 calls from adults and teens with problems ranging from family conflict and physical abuse to addiction and suicide. If you’re looking for a place to serve, and if you’re willing to listen, CONTACT may be the opportunity to put your compassion to work.
Each and every one of our volunteers undergoes a rigorous, comprehensive training program, receiving education in topics as diverse as suicide, elderly and teen issues and the concerns of returning veterans.
With the speed of life increasing ever more rapidly in our world, the need for an understanding voice increases as well. Won’t you consider becoming a lifeline for someone in need?
Classes will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, September 20 from 6 to 9 PM
Tuesday, September 25 from 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, September 29 from 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday, October 2 from 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, October 6 from 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday, October 9 from 6 to 9 PM
Thursday, October 11 from 6 to 9 PM
Participation is mandatory at all training sessions. Applications are due September 7.
Upon completion of the training, volunteers are asked to work 8 to 12 service hours per month.
For additional information about becoming a volunteer, contact Christy Stuber of CONTACT Pittsburgh at
(412) 820-0100 or cstuber@contactpgh.org.
For more information about CONTACT Pittsburgh, go to
www.contactpgh.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER FACTS-WORTH THE READ
* Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of preventable mental retardation
* Estimates of the incidence in the U.S. is 1 in 100 live births have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
At that rate, it is more common than Autism.
* A new study done in Italy, where it was thought there were almost no fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), they found an incidence in first graders of 1 in 25 to 1 in 50 children affected by an FASD.
As that was an active surveillance study, and in the U.S. we have only done passive surveillance,
that is thought to be a more accurate estimate of the incidence.
At that rate, it is more than 3 times as common as Autism.
* It is often unrecognized and/or misdiagnosed leading to inappropriate, unsuccessful treatment
* Many of the children and adolescents with an FASD reside in foster homes, adoptive homes, or residential settings and have frequently experienced multiple moves often because the FASD has not been recognized
* There remains a tremendous amount of stigma resulting in people not wanting to look at the possibility of an FASD. However, women do not use alcohol during their pregnancies because they want to give birth to a child with an FASD.
This is not a matter of shame, blame, guilt, or judgment. Rather, this is a matter of how to help
individuals and families be successful.
* This is a lifelong disorder
* The overall costs of raising one person with an FASD range from $860,000 to $4.2 million over a lifetime (presentation by Hendrick Harwood of the Lewin Group found in the “Grab and Go” section of the SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence website: www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov.
* The effects of alcohol on a fetus begin before most women know they are pregnant.
* There is no proven safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy; the only proven
totally safe amount to use is none.
* Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause damage to the brain
* Intelligence may or may not be affected
* Children and adolescents with an unrecognized FASD often fail with typical education, parenting, and treatment approaches due to the way their brain functions
* People with an FASD can be very successful with the proper recognition and support.
* FASD is a human issue. We must never lose sight of that. It affects the lives of individuals, families, systems of care, and entire communities.
* This is one of the few birth defects that is 100% preventable
There are a number of fact sheets that can be downloaded from the Center’s website: www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov that may be useful for further information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
eliminating racism
empowering women
Please Save the Date:
YWCA Racial Justice Awards Reception & Dinner
Friday, November 30, 2007
6:00 PM
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
YWCA Racial Justice Awards
Award Purpose and Categories
Through the YWCA's Racial Justice Awards, the YWCA seeks to promote a
society in which all people receive equal treatment and have equal
access in the workplace, public services and spaces, through the justice
system, in the classroom, and throughout the greater Pittsburgh
community.
For the past 16 years, the YWCA's Racial Justice Awards have recognized
people and organizations that have made a difference in promoting racial
justice.
To encourage broader implementation of positive actions and
groundbreaking changes that forever serve to enable racial equity and
bring about systemic change that creates a diverse community, in 2007
the YWCA is expanding its racial justice awards to include individuals
and/or organizations in the following categories:
* Community Engagement
* Community Service and Public Safety
* Company / Business
* Education
* Government
* Legal
The awards will be made to salute individuals, companies, and/or
organizations in each category that have implemented new laws, policies,
practices, procedures, programs, guidelines, and similar sustainable
actions that positively impact people of color in the broader society.
Nomination Process
An individual, organization, and/or company can nominate an individual,
company, and/or organization in any one of the categories.
Self-nominations are accepted as well.
The nominee's actions should significantly benefit Pittsburgh area residents.
The nominee should have undertaken a groundbreaking action within the past two years that should
have made an irrevocable, positive change in how people are treated in
the applicable category.
Examples of fundamental changes that would have
qualified in their time include actions leading to:
t
Nominations should be printed and submitted either electronically or via
mail.
Online: www.ywcapgh.org
Email: rja@ywcapgh.org
Fax: 412-391-5109 (Attention: Racial Justice Awards)
Mail: YWCA Racial Justice Awards, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood
Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Attachments should be limited to 5 pages.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE TO THE
YWCA BY 5:00PM EST AUGUST 24, 2007.
Award Selection
The YWCA's Racial Justice Award Committee, comprised of a broad cross
section of Pittsburgh's community leaders, determines the award
recipients. Each entry is judged on a sliding scale to identify:
* leadership taken to address racial inequity;
* quantifiable change that is now enabled;
* initiative taken to address the specific problem identified;
and,
* timing, breadth of impact, and geographic scope of action.
CONTACT Pittsburgh, a crisis and suicide hotline, is looking for nonjudgmental listeners to provide immediate emotional support to adults and teens. Volunteer Crisis Line Specialists are needed to work at the center’s crisis hotline, which is staffed 365 days a year.
Last year, trained volunteers handled more than 20,000 calls from adults and teens with problems ranging from family conflict and physical abuse to addiction and suicide. If you’re looking for a place to serve, and if you’re willing to listen, CONTACT may be the opportunity to put your compassion to work.
Each and every one of our volunteers undergoes a rigorous, comprehensive training program, receiving education in topics as diverse as suicide, elderly and teen issues and the concerns of returning veterans.
With the speed of life increasing ever more rapidly in our world, the need for an understanding voice increases as well. Won’t you consider becoming a lifeline for someone in need?
Classes will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, September 20 from 6 to 9 PM
Tuesday, September 25 from 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, September 29 from 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday, October 2 from 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, October 6 from 9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday, October 9 from 6 to 9 PM
Thursday, October 11 from 6 to 9 PM
Participation is mandatory at all training sessions. Applications are due September 7.
Upon completion of the training, volunteers are asked to work 8 to 12 service hours per month.
For additional information about becoming a volunteer, contact Christy Stuber of CONTACT Pittsburgh at
(412) 820-0100 or cstuber@contactpgh.org.
For more information about CONTACT Pittsburgh, go to
www.contactpgh.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER FACTS-WORTH THE READ
* Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of preventable mental retardation
* Estimates of the incidence in the U.S. is 1 in 100 live births have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
At that rate, it is more common than Autism.
* A new study done in Italy, where it was thought there were almost no fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), they found an incidence in first graders of 1 in 25 to 1 in 50 children affected by an FASD.
As that was an active surveillance study, and in the U.S. we have only done passive surveillance,
that is thought to be a more accurate estimate of the incidence.
At that rate, it is more than 3 times as common as Autism.
* It is often unrecognized and/or misdiagnosed leading to inappropriate, unsuccessful treatment
* Many of the children and adolescents with an FASD reside in foster homes, adoptive homes, or residential settings and have frequently experienced multiple moves often because the FASD has not been recognized
* There remains a tremendous amount of stigma resulting in people not wanting to look at the possibility of an FASD. However, women do not use alcohol during their pregnancies because they want to give birth to a child with an FASD.
This is not a matter of shame, blame, guilt, or judgment. Rather, this is a matter of how to help
individuals and families be successful.
* This is a lifelong disorder
* The overall costs of raising one person with an FASD range from $860,000 to $4.2 million over a lifetime (presentation by Hendrick Harwood of the Lewin Group found in the “Grab and Go” section of the SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence website: www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov.
* The effects of alcohol on a fetus begin before most women know they are pregnant.
* There is no proven safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy; the only proven
totally safe amount to use is none.
* Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause damage to the brain
* Intelligence may or may not be affected
* Children and adolescents with an unrecognized FASD often fail with typical education, parenting, and treatment approaches due to the way their brain functions
* People with an FASD can be very successful with the proper recognition and support.
* FASD is a human issue. We must never lose sight of that. It affects the lives of individuals, families, systems of care, and entire communities.
* This is one of the few birth defects that is 100% preventable
There are a number of fact sheets that can be downloaded from the Center’s website: www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov that may be useful for further information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
eliminating racism
empowering women
Please Save the Date:
YWCA Racial Justice Awards Reception & Dinner
Friday, November 30, 2007
6:00 PM
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
YWCA Racial Justice Awards
Award Purpose and Categories
Through the YWCA's Racial Justice Awards, the YWCA seeks to promote a
society in which all people receive equal treatment and have equal
access in the workplace, public services and spaces, through the justice
system, in the classroom, and throughout the greater Pittsburgh
community.
For the past 16 years, the YWCA's Racial Justice Awards have recognized
people and organizations that have made a difference in promoting racial
justice.
To encourage broader implementation of positive actions and
groundbreaking changes that forever serve to enable racial equity and
bring about systemic change that creates a diverse community, in 2007
the YWCA is expanding its racial justice awards to include individuals
and/or organizations in the following categories:
* Community Engagement
* Community Service and Public Safety
* Company / Business
* Education
* Government
* Legal
The awards will be made to salute individuals, companies, and/or
organizations in each category that have implemented new laws, policies,
practices, procedures, programs, guidelines, and similar sustainable
actions that positively impact people of color in the broader society.
Nomination Process
An individual, organization, and/or company can nominate an individual,
company, and/or organization in any one of the categories.
Self-nominations are accepted as well.
The nominee's actions should significantly benefit Pittsburgh area residents.
The nominee should have undertaken a groundbreaking action within the past two years that should
have made an irrevocable, positive change in how people are treated in
the applicable category.
Examples of fundamental changes that would have
qualified in their time include actions leading to:
t
he Civil Rights Act of 1964,
Americans with Disabilities Act,
Title 9 Legislation,
the Home Rule Charter of 1998,
the Saunders Taskforce,
Small Business Administration,
new workplace employment guidelines/policies,
changes to procedures for counsel or law enforcement,
legal or legislative actions,
community event or activity, or creation of a new office or community
program to enable fair treatment and inclusion for all, and similar
efforts.
Nominations should be printed and submitted either electronically or via
mail.
Online: www.ywcapgh.org
Email: rja@ywcapgh.org
Fax: 412-391-5109 (Attention: Racial Justice Awards)
Mail: YWCA Racial Justice Awards, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood
Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Attachments should be limited to 5 pages.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE TO THE
YWCA BY 5:00PM EST AUGUST 24, 2007.
Award Selection
The YWCA's Racial Justice Award Committee, comprised of a broad cross
section of Pittsburgh's community leaders, determines the award
recipients. Each entry is judged on a sliding scale to identify:
* leadership taken to address racial inequity;
* quantifiable change that is now enabled;
* initiative taken to address the specific problem identified;
and,
* timing, breadth of impact, and geographic scope of action.
9 August 2007
Poverty 2005 Highlights - Sent Using Google Toolbar
Poverty 2005 Highlights
Contact the Demographic Call Center Staff at 301-763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information on Poverty Statistics.
Poverty: 2005 Highlights
The data presented here are from the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates. The CPS ASEC is a sample survey of approximately 100,000 household nationwide. These data reflect conditions in calendar year 2005.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The official poverty rate in 2005 was 12.6 percent, not statistically different from 2004.
- In 2005, 37.0 million people were in poverty, not statistically different from 2004.
- Poverty rates remained statistically unchanged for Blacks (24.9 percent) and Hispanics (21.8 percent) between 2004 and 2005. The poverty rate decreased for non-Hispanic Whites (8.3 percent in 2005, down from 8.7 percent in 2004).
- After 4 years of consecutive increases, the poverty rate stabilized at 12.6 percent in 2005—higher than the most recent low of 11.3 percent in 2000 and lower than the rate in 1959 (22.4 percent), the first year for which poverty estimates are available.
- The poverty rate in 2005 for children under 18 (17.6 percent) remained higher than that of 18-to-64-year-olds (11.1 percent) and that of people 65 and older (10.1 percent)—all were not statistically different from 2004.
- In 2005, the number in poverty remained statistically unchanged from 2004 for people under 18 and people 18 to 64 years old (12.9 million and 20.5 million, respectively). The number in poverty increased for seniors 65 and older—3.6 million in 2005, up from 3.5 million in 2004.
Contact the Demographic Call Center Staff at 301-763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information on Poverty Statistics.
Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Empowerment: Three Critical Tools for Philanthropy
However, diversity alone is insufficient: To be highly effective, nonprofits must also link diversity to inclusiveness and empowerment....MORE
Inclusiveness is a commitment to policies and procedures designed to change the dynamics of bias and ignorance that have often excluded individuals and groups from their rightful place in the community. An effective nonprofit should aspire to treat everyone equally, serve as a role model, and change others through its actions.
Empowerment represents the ability of individuals to be the best they can be and to participate fully — with the freedom to do so. Nonprofits should be taking the lead to ensure that barriers, where found, are broken down and that all of an organization's actions are aimed at empowering individuals to achieve their full potential and control their own destinies.
9 July 2007
from the Desk of Rebekah Jenkins
BGC Employment Program
If you have a GED or have graduated from high school, are under 22 and are looking for employment, the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation Employment Program offers:
A Job; Paid Job Readiness Training;
Paid Work Experience;
Transportation Help
and Help Overcoming Obstacles.
Call Today at 412-450-5194 (answers 24 hours a day) or 412-441-9833 (M-F, 9-5).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job Opportunity-Strong Women, Strong Girls
Strong Women, Strong Girls, Inc. is recruiting a Program Manager to serve as a core staff member in opening the new Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh office.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a “rising star” leader with entrepreneurial qualities to support a multi-site initiative that brings together college age volunteers with elementary school girls in an out-of-school time setting.
For more information see the attachment or see the job description online at http://www.idealist.org/en/job/229460-39.
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Grant Awards
Several U.S. Department of Education grant competitions strategically invest in core academic subjects.
For example, on June 14, the agency announced 52 school districts in 20 states received $8.7 million in grants to increase the number of American students learning foreign languages essential to commerce and national security.
As part of President Bush's National Security Language Initiative (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/nsli/), the grants will encourage students to study such languages as Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Russian in programs from kindergarten to college.
Currently, less than one percent of U.S. high school students study those languages, and only eight percent of U.S. undergraduates take any foreign language courses
(http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/06/06152007.html). http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
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Also, on June 21, the agency announced 122 districts in 40 states received $116 million to improve the quality of American history education.
The Teaching American History program supports three-year projects to improve teachers' knowledge and understanding of traditional U.S. history through on-going professional development.
All grantees must work in partnership with one or more organizations that have extensive background in American history, including libraries, museums, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/06/06212007a.html).
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COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pirates’ corporate partners Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and The African American Chamber of Commerce are pleased to offer groups 25-50 complimentary tickets (or more if available), to tour the new permanent installation of Highmark Legacy Square at PNC Park. Additional tickets are available on a first-come basis.
Highmark Legacy Square will reveal the inspirational story of the remarkable athletes who helped to revolutionize sports and business in their own way in the Negro Leagues. It is the intent to create an educational and inspiring attraction at PNC Park that educates youth on the contributions and impact of the Negro Leagues.
Requests should be made in writing, on letterhead along with information about your group. Please include the name of your group’s contact person, number and mailing address in the body of the letter.
If you have a GED or have graduated from high school, are under 22 and are looking for employment, the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation Employment Program offers:
A Job; Paid Job Readiness Training;
Paid Work Experience;
Transportation Help
and Help Overcoming Obstacles.
Call Today at 412-450-5194 (answers 24 hours a day) or 412-441-9833 (M-F, 9-5).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job Opportunity-Strong Women, Strong Girls
Strong Women, Strong Girls, Inc. is recruiting a Program Manager to serve as a core staff member in opening the new Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh office.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a “rising star” leader with entrepreneurial qualities to support a multi-site initiative that brings together college age volunteers with elementary school girls in an out-of-school time setting.
For more information see the attachment or see the job description online at http://www.idealist.org/en/job/229460-39.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant Awards
Several U.S. Department of Education grant competitions strategically invest in core academic subjects.
For example, on June 14, the agency announced 52 school districts in 20 states received $8.7 million in grants to increase the number of American students learning foreign languages essential to commerce and national security.
As part of President Bush's National Security Language Initiative (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/nsli/), the grants will encourage students to study such languages as Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Russian in programs from kindergarten to college.
Currently, less than one percent of U.S. high school students study those languages, and only eight percent of U.S. undergraduates take any foreign language courses
(http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/06/06152007.html). http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, on June 21, the agency announced 122 districts in 40 states received $116 million to improve the quality of American history education.
The Teaching American History program supports three-year projects to improve teachers' knowledge and understanding of traditional U.S. history through on-going professional development.
All grantees must work in partnership with one or more organizations that have extensive background in American history, including libraries, museums, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/06/06212007a.html).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pirates’ corporate partners Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and The African American Chamber of Commerce are pleased to offer groups 25-50 complimentary tickets (or more if available), to tour the new permanent installation of Highmark Legacy Square at PNC Park. Additional tickets are available on a first-come basis.
Highmark Legacy Square will reveal the inspirational story of the remarkable athletes who helped to revolutionize sports and business in their own way in the Negro Leagues. It is the intent to create an educational and inspiring attraction at PNC Park that educates youth on the contributions and impact of the Negro Leagues.
Requests should be made in writing, on letterhead along with information about your group. Please include the name of your group’s contact person, number and mailing address in the body of the letter.
Mail requests to:
Pittsburgh Pirates
Highmark Legacy Square Tour
Community Development
PNC Park at North Shore
115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
If you have any questions, call (412) 325-8019 or (412) 325-4731.
27 June 2007
from the Desk of LISA: New Slavery Study
New Slavery Study
From:
Sent:
To: TST Listserv
Subject: New Slavery Study
Sent:
To: TST Listserv
Subject: New Slavery Study
Pardon any cross-postings.
NIGER: New slavery study welcomed by human rights experts
DAKAR/NIAMEY, 31 May 2007 (IRIN) - People are still enslaved in Niger, but an announcement that the government has agreed to sponsor an independent investigation into the issue has raised hopes for change among some human rights experts.
Lompo Garba, president of the National Commission for Human Rights and Civil Liberties, the group conducting the new study, said: "Slavery as it was in the past in Niger, for example people owned by other people, no longer exists. Today we see other forms of practical slavery, including child and forced labour... It will take time to eradicate that mentality. That is the purpose of our study."
Slave markets in Niger were closed during French colonisation, but in 2003 when a study was conducted by the British NGO Anti Slavery International, at least 43,000 Nigeriens were still kept as unpaid workers to do domestic tasks [ http://www.irinnews.org/HOVReport.aspx?ReportId=60928
], and in some cases perform as concubines [ http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=53499 ]. Most live with nomadic Touareg and Arab groups in the north and west of Niger, according to ASI."Slavery has been an established practice for centuries in Niger," said Romana Cachiolli, Africa programme officer at ASI. "It won't be eradicated immediately, but a study conducted with support from the government may push us further along, even if it simply brings them to the table."
Niger's government has previously been criticised for its quixotic attitude towards slavery.
In 2003, Nigerien lawmakers reformed Niger's penal code to allow punishments of up to 30 years in prison for keeping slaves. But two years later, a ceremony meant to free 7,000 slaves in Inates, northwest Niger, turned into a farce [ http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=53498 ] after government officials apparently warned slave owners at the ceremony that they would be subject to the 30-year term if they released their slaves. No slaves were released.
Later that year, the head of the Timidria NGO, Ilguilas Weila, was briefly arrested [ http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=54258 ] and accused of spreading false information about slavery. He was not charged.
Weila remains critical of the government's commitment to ending slavery.
"Timidria will not participate in the study," he said. "These actions are simply an empty gesture to satisfy the international community and the money could be better used to help efforts already underway like bringing cases to court and freeing and reintegrating slaves."
However Cachiolli said Anti-Slavery International would "certainly" participate, if asked. "A new comprehensive survey would help us better understand what exactly we're dealing with," she said. "The wider public should be informed that the fight against slavery is still on."
Lisa
"It is through asking questions that truth is discovered."
~ Mende Proverb ~
~ Mende Proverb ~
From the Desk of Shirley Muhammad
Greetings
Please share this with your email network
Please see the attached flyer regarding how to write your own federal grant applications. Become your own Department of Human Services ! Did you know that Allegheny County Department of Human Services receive over 85% of their total budget by applying for federal government grant funding? You can do the same !!!!!
As a bonus, Your Sister's Project, Inc will GUARANTEE IRS APPROVAL of the creation of your 501(c) 3 organization for a special price of $550.00 most lawyers will charge you $3,000 - $5,000.
Let's talk at the sessions. If you need additional information, please call me or email.
Thanks,
Shirley Muhammad, Executive Director
Your Sister's Project, Inc.
2101 Centre Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA. 15219
412 377-3358 Phone
412 227-0922 Fax
ShrlyMhmmd@aol.com
Federal FAITH-BASED and Community Initiative
Grant Proposal Writing
Friday June 29 and Saturday June 30, 2007
Presenter: Dr. Khalifah Ramadan
Areas of Expertise
Community Diagnosis and Assessment, Multi-Agency Partnership, Project Evaluation, Case Management, Grant Proposal Writing and Strategic Planning
FRI., JUNE 29, 2007 -6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Grant Writing Overview
Learn about writing federal grants
Session Fee: Free
SAT., JUNE 30, 2007 – 8:30: AM – 2:00 PM
Hands-On Grant Writing Session
Learn how to develop strategies, goals and outcomes
Resource Information including sample grants
Bring your proposal idea/work
Session Fee: $50.00 Donation
MONUMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH
2240 WYLIE AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219
RSVP: 412-377-3358
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS WITH ESTABLISHED FAITH AND COMMUNITY
BASED OFFICES IN WHICH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Education
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Housing &Urban Development
• Department of Justice
• Department of Labor
• Department of Veterans Affairs – US AID
16 June 2007
Africans in U.S. caught between worlds - USATODAY.com
Africans in U.S. caught between worlds - USATODAY.com:
"Comments: (24)
Khalilah wrote: 7m ago
To Afriameican...
Thank you for saying so eloquently what I was thinking. I have for many years told others in the black (american ) community that the propaganda machine of this country is always aimed at showing our people in a negative way. Even when it is camouflaged by some current event or 'social concern'...we know that the whole reason to write anything about black americans is to show them as less than anyone else or as niggardly in some aspect of their association with other peoples. Never are we given the true and often covert message which is that 'blacks who are descendents of slaves and born in america are and will always be assaulted by some group of people no matter who they are' Further, it pains me when native Africans come to america and do not search out their long lost family members who have been displaced by the slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries. Why do black americans always want to find their 'roots' in Africa and yet the African comes here but don't try to find his lost brother or sister? I love the Afican people and the African culture because somehow it connects me to my history just as my native American culture connects me to my Cherokee history . I pray that we as blacks, Africans and Afriamericans come to under"
Africans in U.S. caught between worlds - USATODAY.com
Africans in U.S. caught between worlds - USATODAY.com: "By David Crary, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — They range from surgeons and scholars to illiterate refugees from some of the world's worst hellholes — a dizzyingly varied stream of African immigrants to the United States. More than 1 million strong and growing, they are enlivening America's cities and altering how the nation confronts its racial identity.
Some nurture dreams of returning to Africa for good one day. But many are casting their lot permanently in America, trying to assimilate even as they and their children struggle to learn where they fit in a country where black-white relations are a perpetual work-in-progress.
'To white people, we are all black,' said Wanjiru Kamau, a Kenyan-born community activist in Washington, D.C. 'But as soon as you open your mouth to some African-Americans, they look at you and wonder why you are even here.
'Except for the skin, which is just a facade, there is very little in common between Africans and African-Americans. We need to sit down and listen to each other's story.'
The 2000 Census recorded 881,300 U.S. residents who were born in Africa. By 2005, the number had reached 1.25 million, according Brookings Institution researcher Jill Wilson."
MORE...
Lack of knowledge can cut both ways. Tigist is gradually learning details of America's racial history, even watching the TV mini-series "Roots."
"I feel bad about that racism — but when I come here now, I didn't feel it at all. I would never think someone would discriminate against me," she said. "I don't have any bad feelings for black Americans, but I am not one of them. ... I'm not a black American, I'm not a white American. I'm an Ethiopian."
Democratic president candidate Barak Obama, son of a black Kenyan father and white American mother, has wrestled with similar issues. Some skeptics have doubted whether his background will appeal to black voters, and he recalled in his memoirs that he was rebuffed by national civil rights groups when he was younger.
Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, an African-American scholar with Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, is optimistic that African immigrants and African-Americans will outgrow any strains, which she blames partly on stereotypes.
"Some Africans view African-Americans as violent, lazy, intellectually inferior — U.S. blacks are taught that the Africans are less civilized, not as capable," she said.
"As people get to know each other in churches and mosques and community associations, they're beginning to realize they've been taught lies about each other. They're starting to understand they share many things in common."
In the District of Columbia, as in some other cities, there has been occasional friction between recently arrived Africans and the entrenched, politically powerful black American community.
WASHINGTON — They range from surgeons and scholars to illiterate refugees from some of the world's worst hellholes — a dizzyingly varied stream of African immigrants to the United States. More than 1 million strong and growing, they are enlivening America's cities and altering how the nation confronts its racial identity.
Some nurture dreams of returning to Africa for good one day. But many are casting their lot permanently in America, trying to assimilate even as they and their children struggle to learn where they fit in a country where black-white relations are a perpetual work-in-progress.
'To white people, we are all black,' said Wanjiru Kamau, a Kenyan-born community activist in Washington, D.C. 'But as soon as you open your mouth to some African-Americans, they look at you and wonder why you are even here.
'Except for the skin, which is just a facade, there is very little in common between Africans and African-Americans. We need to sit down and listen to each other's story.'
The 2000 Census recorded 881,300 U.S. residents who were born in Africa. By 2005, the number had reached 1.25 million, according Brookings Institution researcher Jill Wilson."
MORE...
Lack of knowledge can cut both ways. Tigist is gradually learning details of America's racial history, even watching the TV mini-series "Roots."
"I feel bad about that racism — but when I come here now, I didn't feel it at all. I would never think someone would discriminate against me," she said. "I don't have any bad feelings for black Americans, but I am not one of them. ... I'm not a black American, I'm not a white American. I'm an Ethiopian."
Democratic president candidate Barak Obama, son of a black Kenyan father and white American mother, has wrestled with similar issues. Some skeptics have doubted whether his background will appeal to black voters, and he recalled in his memoirs that he was rebuffed by national civil rights groups when he was younger.
Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, an African-American scholar with Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, is optimistic that African immigrants and African-Americans will outgrow any strains, which she blames partly on stereotypes.
"Some Africans view African-Americans as violent, lazy, intellectually inferior — U.S. blacks are taught that the Africans are less civilized, not as capable," she said.
"As people get to know each other in churches and mosques and community associations, they're beginning to realize they've been taught lies about each other. They're starting to understand they share many things in common."
In the District of Columbia, as in some other cities, there has been occasional friction between recently arrived Africans and the entrenched, politically powerful black American community.
AlterNet: Twenty Things You Should Know About Corporate Crime
AlterNet: Twenty Things You Should Know About Corporate Crime:
"The following is text from a speech delivered by Russell Mokhiber, editor of Corporate Crime Reporter to the Taming the Giant Corporation conference in Washington, D.C., June 9, 2007.
20. Corporate crime inflicts far more damage on society than all street crime combined.
Whether in bodies or injuries or dollars lost, corporate crime and violence wins by a landslide.
The FBI estimates, for example, that burglary and robbery -- street crimes -- costs the nation $3.8 billion a year.
The losses from a handful of major corporate frauds -- Tyco, Adelphia, Worldcom, Enron -- swamp the losses from all street robberies and burglaries combined.
Health care fraud alone costs Americans $100 billion to $400 billion a year.
The savings and loan fraud -- which former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh called 'the biggest white collar swindle in history' -- cost us anywhere from $300 billion to $500 billion.
And then you have your lesser frauds: auto repair fraud, $40 billion a year, securities fraud, $15 billion a year -- and on down the list.
MORE...
15 June 2007
PPS Partnership with Community Education Partners
PPS Partnership with Community Education Partners
The Pittsburgh Public Schools will hold five regional community meetings this June to inform parents about its new education partnership with Community Education Partners (CEP).
In January, the Pittsburgh Board of Education voted to enter into a five year agreement with CEP to meet the needs of students in grades 6-12 with chronic behavioral challenges.
The dates for the CEP meetings are as follows:
Thursday, June 14: Perry Traditional Academy, 3875 Perrysville Avenue
Tuesday, June 19: Langley High School, 2940 Sheraden Boulevard
Thursday, June 21: Westinghouse High School, 1101 Murtland Avenue
Tuesday, June 26: South Hills Middle School, 595 Crane Avenue
Wednesday, June 27: Schenley High School, 4101 Bigelow Boulevard
Each meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in the school's library.
Feel free to select a site most convenient to you. Information shared will be the same at all sessions and sites. District staff will be on hand to share information about the CEP agreement, the former Clayton Elementary facility where the program will be housed and more.
Parents and community members are encouraged to attend.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools will hold five regional community meetings this June to inform parents about its new education partnership with Community Education Partners (CEP).
In January, the Pittsburgh Board of Education voted to enter into a five year agreement with CEP to meet the needs of students in grades 6-12 with chronic behavioral challenges.
The dates for the CEP meetings are as follows:
Thursday, June 14: Perry Traditional Academy, 3875 Perrysville Avenue
Tuesday, June 19: Langley High School, 2940 Sheraden Boulevard
Thursday, June 21: Westinghouse High School, 1101 Murtland Avenue
Tuesday, June 26: South Hills Middle School, 595 Crane Avenue
Wednesday, June 27: Schenley High School, 4101 Bigelow Boulevard
Each meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in the school's library.
Feel free to select a site most convenient to you. Information shared will be the same at all sessions and sites. District staff will be on hand to share information about the CEP agreement, the former Clayton Elementary facility where the program will be housed and more.
Parents and community members are encouraged to attend.
13 June 2007
Predicting Success and Failure - The Stories We Tell Ourselves
..everybody get random!
Lady Sovereign - 2006
Dave Munger writes about the futility of predicting unlikely events. Runaway successes are rare, and difficult to predict in advance. Luckily for us, catastrophic failures are rare as well. I laugh when people tell me they have "the next Google" - as if anyone could have predicted the dramatic success of the first Google. If your goal is to have that level of success, all you can do is build something that has the potential, and hope a little randomness fall your way. VC's don't predict winners, they just screen out the most likely losers and hope with enough investments, the black swan is friendly to them.
Munger's post references this interview with Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan which I highly recommend. (Be forewarned though. If you struggle with counterintuitive ideas, you may not enjoy this book.)
In the interview, Taleb makes the following statement.
So if randomness matters so much, why try? Because you can still take advantage of it. Experiment. Expose yourself to random ideas, random people, random chance, and sooner or later, you might catch a ride on a black swan.
SPONSOR
Lady Sovereign - 2006
Sent to you by jim via Google Reader:
Predicting Success and Failure - The Stories We Tell Ourselves
via Businesspundit on Jun 13, 2007
Munger's post references this interview with Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan which I highly recommend. (Be forewarned though. If you struggle with counterintuitive ideas, you may not enjoy this book.)
In the interview, Taleb makes the following statement.
Taleb argues that history books make up reasons for events that are by their very nature improbable. If someone had sat in a coffee house in Vienna in 1913 and related the history-book explanation of the situation in at that time, explaining that Europe was on the brink of an unprecedented continent-wide war, Taleb claims, he would have been carted off as a lunatic.I think we do the same thing in business. Why do some businesses go from good to great? We make up stories and see patterns where they don't exist, because we are looking for that magic bullet that will make our company do the same. Why did the latest project fail? When we piece it together after the fact, we often get it wrong. That's why I like to use the decision tickler.
So if randomness matters so much, why try? Because you can still take advantage of it. Experiment. Expose yourself to random ideas, random people, random chance, and sooner or later, you might catch a ride on a black swan.
SPONSOR
Things you can do from here:
- Visit the original item on Businesspundit
- Subscribe to Businesspundit using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
The Small Biz 7 Survey
also visit: http://surveymonkey.com
Sent to you by jim via Google Reader:
The Small Biz 7 Survey
via Small Business Trends by Anita Campbell on Jun 13, 2007
Just this week Constant Contact introduced a new service, an online survey tool. You can use it for conducting online surveys, including composing survey questions, gathering responses, and preparing reports of the survey responses.
One of the things that caught my attention is that Constant Contact has created 40 survey templates. A big barrier to conducting surveys is that unless you are a market researcher by trade, you probably don't know where to start. I know that every time I'm creating a survey, I start out trying to compose 8 or 10 simple questions and two hours later I'm still at it. (What do you ask? How do you phrase the questions? Multiple choice or write-in answers? How many multiple choices? And so on.)
Having ready-made survey templates can cut down your time considerably. Even if you adjust the templates and change some of the questions, you'll still be much further ahead.
Here is one such survey created by Constant Contact, called the Small Biz 7 survey. These are seven questions they suggest every small business should use to evaluate how well they know their customers:
1. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with us?
* Very satisfied
* Satisfied
* Neutral
* Dissatisfied
* Very dissatisfied2. How likely are you to recommend our products/service to others?
* Very likely
* Likely
* Neutral
* Unlikely
* Very unlikely3. When was the last time you purchased a product or service from us?
* Within the last month
* Between one month and 3 months
* Between 3 and 6 months
* Between 6 months and one year
* More than one year
* Never4. Please rate us on the following:
(Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)* Customer service/support
* Quality of products/service
* Sales staff
* Price/value5. How likely are you to continue doing business with us?
* Very likely
* Likely
* Neutral
* Unlikely
* Very unlikely6. How long have you used our products/service?
* Fewer than 6 months
* Between 6 months and 1 year
* Between one year and 3 years
* Between 3 and 5 years
* More than 5 years
* Have not used7. Please suggest how we can improve our products/services to better serve you.
Go here for more about the Constant Contact Survey tool.
Things you can do from here:
- Visit the original item on Small Business Trends
- Subscribe to Small Business Trends using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Few states require high-school grads take finance classes
perhaps informed consumers are detrimental to the status quo....j
Sent to you by jim via Google Reader:
Few states require high-school grads take finance classes
via MarketWatch.com - Top Stories on Jun 13, 2007
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The bad news is that only 17 states require students take an economics class to graduate from high school and only seven states require a personal-finance course, according to a survey released Wednesday by the National Council on Economic Education. 
Things you can do from here:
- Visit the original item on MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
- Subscribe to MarketWatch.com - Top Stories using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
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Talk Gone Wrong
