2009 May

29 05, 2009

You are smart.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:20+00:00May 29, 2009|7 kinds of smart, Meyer-Briggs Personality, Thomas Armstrong|Comments Off on You are smart.

You're smart. You really are. And so are each of your kids, your spouse, your co-workers and your boss. But what kind of smart may be vastly different. I love the book 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong. His theory of multiple intelligences transformed my thinking about what it means to be smart—because in our culture, the traditional way we view smart is very limited. And limiting. Our society values logical and verbal smarts while often overlooking all the other amazing attributes that make each of us truly gifted. So, you wonder, what exactly are the types of smart? • Word Smart – expressing verbal intelligence • Picture Smart – thinking with your mind's eye • Music Smart – Making the most of your melodic mind • Body Smart – Using your kinesthetic intelligence • Logic Smart – [...]

26 05, 2009

Navigating new jobs and new personalities

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:26+00:00May 26, 2009|new job, Personality, snarks|1 Comment

If you’re one of those fortunate people who have found a new job, you’re probably busy learning the ropes and getting to know your new team. Each business and office environment is different. They all come with their own set of quirks and personalities. When starting a new job, it’s often important to understand everyone’s personality and how they interact. This also allows you to figure out who to watch out for…those pesky snarks. While it may seem difficult to escape their negativity, dealing with snarks is a part of life. Here are a few things that will help you navigate those snark-infested waters. · Protect your ideas. Whenever possible, avoid the middle man and take your original ideas directly to the boss. · Don’t share your contacts with people who you suspect might use your relationship for their benefit only. · Don’t rely on [...]

22 05, 2009

Make radio interviews work for you.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:30+00:00May 22, 2009|broadcast, radio interviews, Real You Incorporated, special guest|Comments Off on Make radio interviews work for you.

I love radio interviews! They're a blast—but only if you're prepped and ready. Here are a few things I learned while on Real You Incorporated's radio tour. • Do your homework, and get to know the station and its personalities. Learn their style, tone and audience. Are they jokesters, serious, down-to-earth? Listen to a few broadcasts. Most have a listen online feature. • Know what you'll be asked ahead of time. If you're not provided with questions, send a few to the producer. Also include your background info—bio, product, Web address—to help educate the DJs and let them tell the audience about how great your product/service is. • Ask for a copy of the interview before the broadcast begins. Some stations won't record it unless you ask. Use the interview on your site for promotion or a demo reel down the road if you're trying [...]

21 05, 2009

A female friendly auto industry is our future!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:37+00:00May 21, 2009|AskPatty, auto industry, Jody DeVere, podcasts|Comments Off on A female friendly auto industry is our future!

In today’s world, walking into a car dealership is still like walking into the old boys club. But hopefully not for long! I just interviewed an inspiring woman, Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com. DeVere created AskPatty.com to offer automotive advice for women. It’s a site where women can shop for cars, tires and repair shops through the network of Certified Female Friendly retailers across the U.S. A Certified Female Friendly retailer is one that has created a safe and comfortable atmosphere where women are welcome and experience is enjoyable. In the podcast below, DeVere talks with me about how she is informing women about the industry and educating dealers and sales people on how to give women a better car buying experience and appropriately market to them. Did you know there’s a dealership offering spa services for patrons while they wait for their vehicle? DeVere [...]

20 05, 2009

Of jellyfish, hurt knees, DC, sweet sixteen and the joys of end-of-school

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:44+00:00May 20, 2009|busy, end of school year, Graduation, kids, multi-tasking|1 Comment

This post will fall into the category of: Oh, my goodness. Is school almost over or what? These last few weeks of the school year feel like a perpetual full-moon, day and night. The kids are: #1 excited for summer, spending more time outside and getting hurt (trampoline + my oldest = bruised knee and two weeks physical therapy at least) Oh, and also planning high school graduation, college, yikes;#2 Anticipating the weekend spent at the lake with good friends, and next week's driver's license test (car + my 16-year-old daughter = lifetime of worry)#3 Enjoying an 8th grade trip to DC (packing + middle son with no dress clothes that fit = late-night sojourn to Target, much consternation, but eventual on-time departure) and will return just in time for his 8th grade Graduation;#4 Hibernating. With sinus infection, missing choir concert tonight and opportunity to [...]

18 05, 2009

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Start Your Engines

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:46:54+00:00May 18, 2009|college students, contests, dorms, innovation, StartupNation, startups, Web site|Comments Off on Collegiate Entrepreneurs Start Your Engines

Are you or do you know a college student with entrepreneurial aspirations? Show off your business by entering StartupNation Dorm-Based 20, which ranks the top 20 leading collegiate entrepreneurs in the country. To enter the contest, you must attend a college in the U.S. (not necessarily living in a dorm), your business must have a Web site, and you have to fill out the online form. The judges will be looking for: Innovativeness of business concept Potential for growth Cutting-edge business practices Demonstration of business fundamentals Potential for overall impact Financial performance Check out the 2008 Dorm-Based 20 winners: A Slice of Paradise Ablaze Custom Cleaning Affordabook Bizooki Brett Adams Design LLC CaptainU Collegeffect.com Digital Wingman, Inc E SCRAP Ohio EnMobile Hurricane K-9 Waste Removal, LLC IsThatOneGood LLC Note2Home ROCS College Student Staffing Sand Shack Shelby Burford Design The Magic of Jared Sherlock Vortex Web [...]

15 05, 2009

Stop apologizing already.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:47:06+00:00May 15, 2009|apologize, common phrases, giving, power struggle|2 Comments

It's a fact that women apologize more frequently than men. Many times we do it just to be polite. But is it diminishing our credibility? Our power? Yes. Do you ever find yourself saying any of these phrases? • “I'm sorry, but I think...” • “I'm sorry you have to do this, but...” • “I'm sorry to bother you with...” • “I'm sorry, this might not be exactly what you wanted...” A talented member of our team constantly apologizes, even for situations she has no knowledge about and no control over. Another young woman, who had a different opinion from the rest of our group, began her sentence during a meeting with, “I'm sorry, but I think we could do it this way.” Just like that, she gave her power away. She weakened her point with that little word. While “I'm sorry” CAN be very [...]

14 05, 2009

Attending NAR Mid-Year Conference?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:47:14+00:00May 14, 2009|entrepreneurs, Mid-Year Conference, National Association of Realtors, women's council of realtors|Comments Off on Attending NAR Mid-Year Conference?

If so, I'll see you there! I'm presenting "Putting the Real You in Your Business" tomorrow at the Women's Council of Realtors' education session at the Capital Hilton in Washington DC. I'll be focusing on branding with personality and speaking to your No. 1 customer. I love presenting to real estate folks. They're a powerful group of passionate entrepreneurs who know how to roll with the punches and stick with it in good times and bad. If you'll be a Mid-Year, please stop by my session. I'd love to meet you!

13 05, 2009

Taking the time to plant a tree

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:47:21+00:00May 13, 2009|busy, diverse, moms, smile, stay at home, work|Comments Off on Taking the time to plant a tree

As I helped out with my son's 6th grade class Tree Planting Day, I looked around at all the other "parent leaders" and noticed the diversity represented in the volunteers. Of course, there were a couple dads, but I was focusing on the moms. We represented the reality of moms today. Some of us work full time, some are full-time stay-at-home moms (SAHMs). Many work part-time. Most all have more than one child. We were a wide range of ages - from early 30s to mid-50s. We were, with our shovels, today's moms. One took a call from work while we dug; another a call from a nurse about a sick child at elementary school. There are more than 82 million moms in the U.S., (82.8 as of 2004 - and I'm sure there are more current figures but these stats were on the cover [...]

12 05, 2009

Bullseye Gives is a Win for Target

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:47:30+00:00May 12, 2009|charity, community, giving back, Target|Comments Off on Bullseye Gives is a Win for Target

I just love corporations with compassion. Today I came across a blog regarding the Target charity promotion on Facebook, which is part of Target’s Community Outreach program. The promotion is called Bullseye Gives and is hosted on the Target Facebook page. To participate in the challenge, everyone is invited to the Facebook page where they can help decide how Target should allocate $3 million among 10 charities. Each charity will receive a donation. The amount of the donation will be determined by the percentage of votes each charity receives. Charities include: Breast Cancer Research Foundations Operation Gratitude Feeding America Parent Teacher Association (PTA) HandsOn Network Red Cross Kids In Need Salvation Army National Park Foundation St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital You can cast one vote per day until May 25. Happy voting!

Monthly Archives: May 2009