Category Archives: Management

Send it Packing!

Leave a comment

“Action is the foundational key to all success” ~ Pablo Picasso 

Are you an independent publisher whose story has changed from inspiring, educating, entertaining and informing others to being consumed with all matters related to shipping? Has postage, boxes, tape, labels, pick-up and delivery of orders become the focus of your day? 

In one sense, this is positive! It means your independent publishing business is prospering, and that is, effectively, good news. However, it may be leaving you feeling torn between spending time doing what you need to do and what you love to do. Your life has gone from writer and publisher to maestro of the shipping department, and it is probably making it hard to focus on what you do best! The truth of the matter is, at some point, your labors of love have turned into a labor of dread. 

Perhaps it is time to consider the alternative! An order fulfillment company can help you get those publications out of your basement, garage, attic and car and into the hands of the consumer in the fastest, economical way, leaving you to focus on what you do best – writing and publishing. 

If you have never considered this alternative, maybe it is time! Help is only a click away! Go to your favorite search engine and enter the words – affordable order fulfillment for independent publishers. It is as easy as that!

 Authors and publishers – think outside the box – partner with an order fulfillment company!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Right Shoes, Right Occasion

2 Comments

 “Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible.” ~ Sir William Osler 

How is your day going? Life has it’s up and downs, doesn’t it?  To be able to travel the path of life without getting your shoes dirty and distressed would be a real gift, wouldn’t it? 

More times than not, staying out of the dust of life means making good decisions, thinking before acting impulsively, and not putting self gratification at the top of the list. It also takes changing our shoes and attitudes for the occasion! Then, we are prepared for whatever comes our way. 

Deciding what pair of shoes is appropriate for the occasion can be distressing enough for those who own many pairs. To help get you started, think what your journey will be this day. Do you need:

  • Hiking Shoes to Climb New Heights?
  • Soft Shoes to Deal with Hurt?
  • Strong Shoes to Lead the Way?
  • Tennis Shoes to Court New Clients?
  • Handmade Shoes for Creative Ventures? 

Sometimes we need assistance from higher beings to help us decide what kind of shoes match the mission. There is help available when we call! If you are faced with ambiguity or indecision in your life, there is a book that may help clear the dusty path. Arrive at your destination with shiny shoes! 

For more information on this book, please visit http://shinyshoesondustypaths.wordpress.com or http://www. joannemahar.com.

What am I wearing today? I decided to put on elastic shoes…expanding with trust. Why? I have a lot of work to fit into this day! If  put my nose to the grind, I can get it all done! There is more time in the day then we think, especially if we forge ahead and stay focused. 

We never know what is just around the corner, though do we?  

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

History Revisited

Leave a comment

“Most things in life require effort even if, years later, they seem easy” ~ Unknown

I slept all the way through American History. Every time those two words were uttered during my Junior and Senior High School years, I hit the snooze control button and off I would go into La La Land.

Recently, I had a second chance to learn about the battle of Gettysburg. I visited, for the second time since childhood, the battlefields where the three day war, that forever changed our country, raged. This time I learned!

I learned about “Pickett’s Charge” in a way that drew me in, rather than turned me off. I was able to observe from the largest canvas painting in this country, about the Battle of Gettysburg. The circular painting, which measures 400 ft X 80 ft, is enhanced by lights and an audio recounting of the battle, complete with battle sounds. I even got a glimpse of artist Paul Philippoteaux, himself. He painted himself onto the canvas, and into the scene, positioned in the middle of the battle. For more information on this artist, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Cyclorama. Thanks to the painting of artist Paul Philippoteaux, I have a greater understanding this 4th of July, of how our country and it’s citizens fought to gain it’s independence.

I am off to join the United Methodist Women, in cutting up strawberries for the Strawberry Festival being hosted by the Pioneers of Tred Museum, take in the nordic combined ski jumping and roller ski racing competition and the parade down Lincoln Avenue, in scenic Steamboat Springs, CO. far from the battlefields of Gettysburg. Happy Independence Day!

 

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Authors, Build your Whuffie!

Leave a comment

“Friendships are fragile things, and require as much handling as any other fragile and precious thing.” ~ Unknown

What’s your whuffie, you say? Why, it is the way of the world, these days! Something that all authors and business people need to include in their marketing plans.

Whuffie is built through forming relationships with communities of people on-line. By developing an audience and customer base on-line, you will build support and increase visibility for your products. That means sales of  your independently published books, cds and DVDs.

One of the best resources I have stumbled upon is “The Power of Social Networking” by Tara Hunt. www.threeriverspress.com. This book provides great stories of on-line business successes through building whuffies!

Make no mistake, building your whuffie on-line takes time. But, building a business does not happen overnight. Even after reading this book, the concept is still very foreign to many. Where do you start? Call on an expert, a company who specializes in e-marketing for independent publishers. While you are at it, you had better ask whether they handle order fulfillment for independent publishers too ! You will be needing that !

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Smell a Blog

2 Comments

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” ~ Unknown

The day of independence is almost upon us! In honor of this holiday, one of the things I have decided that I am going to do is to strike out, be bold, and add more herbs to my diet. Today, I thought I would cook up a batch of flavorful gazpacho soup in readiness for the holiday weekend.

I will begin with tomatoes, not common beefsteak tomatoes, but some juicy, ripe off the vine, heirloom tomatoes! May as well start out right and stew them up! Now comes the good part – I’ll add some of those herbs that the Indians used to keep their bodies in tune with nature and helped them maintain proper balance. Into the pot will go:

  • Basil for a little Love
  • Chives to make myself more Useful
  • Parsley for some Merriment on this 4th of July
  • Thyme – why not? I said I was going to become more independent minded and daring in my cooking!
  • Rosemary – to help me Remember the loved ones
  • Chervil – to add Serenity, and just because!
  • Garlic – I don’t think so! That won’t make me any friends!

Umm – Smells good! Can you smell it? Of course you can’t, silly me! Until some entrepreneurial soul decides to spice up the blogging world by adding smell a blog as a new feature, you won’t be able to! Rest assured, that entrepreneurial soul will not be me! I am too busy trying to make my life more fulfilling! How about you?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

Leave a comment

“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously.” ~ Robert F Bennett

I should never have done it! Yesterday, as I was leaving the library, I picked up the latest issue of Bookpage (www.bookpage.com). Man – what a tease! For me, what Bookpage is all about is choices, choices, choices and too many of them!! I’m trying to simplify my life, not complicate it!

After having leafed through the summer’s hot book list, I have come to realize my reading list is longer than ever before. What disturbs me most is some of the same books have continued to appear on my reading list time and time again. I must take action!

Can someone steer me? Hello – are you out there? Tell me where to start! Dan Chanon, I Await Your Reply! Here is my reading list:

  • The Guardians – Richard Williams
  • The Help – Kathryn Stockett
  • The Price of Stones – Twelgye Jackson Kagurt
  • Making Lemon Cake out of Lemons – Aimee Bender
  • It is Well With My Soul – Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson
  • Perfect Reader – Maggie Pouncey Pantheon

What do you think? Perhaps I ought to make my own decisions! But maybe I just need a little time. Laura Vanderkam might just give me 168 Hours. We’ll see —

Women like to give good advice! How about First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush? I have found she has always Spoken from her Heart. I know I can rely on her to tell me what she thinks! I feel better already.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Handing it Over

Leave a comment

“It’s not the things you get but the hearts you touch that will determine your success in life.” ~ Unknown

Many people wait until their days are limited to consider the question “Am I living a fulfilling life?” Last summer as I was about to loose a lifetime friend to cancer, I stumbled upon a poem that poignantly helped me to consider this very question.

“The Dash” by Linda Ellis (www.lindaslyrics.com) perfectly demonstrates how despite the brevity of a poem, its depth in meaning can rival a 500 page book. In less than 250 words, this poem helped me to consider the question “Am I living a fulfilling life?” Moreover, it brought clarity to me that my friend’s life had indeed been filled with what matters most and it was time for me to “let go and let God” take my friend as he saw fit.

At the risk of copyright infringement, I will not post the poem “The Dash.” This poem serves another purpose, too. It aptly demonstrates how poetry can involve the reader by communicating thought provoking ideas. Quality of content is more important than length, just like our lives. Although, everyone likes a good long story, too! One they can settle into and enjoy.

If you are struggling with whether there are things in your life you would like to change, “The Dash” says it all. check it out.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

 

Seniors on the Rise

2 Comments

“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.” ~ Albert Schweitzer 

Eldercare has become big business! Marketers have not contrived a need for eldercare services, there is a real need!  Our senior citizen population is growing at a fast pace! Adult children are looking to fulfill their parent’s senior care needs, in the best way they know how, by researching information and making good decisions about Alzheimer’s facilities, cancer care facilities, long term care facilities and other housing arrangements. Many are looking for advice on fitness for seniors, hospital concerns, privacy issues, in-home care options, integrative health issues and more. 

We are fortunate that in this country, experts are available to guide and advise senior citizens and their adult caregivers on a multitude of issues. On-line support is also available at sites such as:

http://www.parentgiving.com/expert-nswers/caregiving/housing-choices/. On the team of experts of this site is eldercare consultant Mike Campbell. Mike has written a new book called “When Mom and Dad Need Help.” Mike shares advice and information for seniors facing difficult decisions about housing choices and long term care options. Through his consulting business, Campbell Consulting, Inc. Mike has visited hundreds of senior care facilities across the country and has seen, first hand, what is positive and what needs improvement. For more information on this very valuable resource book, please visit http://www.iffenwen.com. 

Seniors deserve good, quality care. If you have an obligation or desire to help your parents when the time is right, make your job a little easier by knowing the facts.

 

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Trusting Trenches

2 Comments

“Leaders should visit all parts of the office, not just those they pass through regularly.” ~ Unknown

Are you a recent college graduate who has had to accept a less than ideal position? My first job out of college was at a condominium resort. Most of the units were in the rental pool, and the  property was run like a hotel. My job was to serve continental breakfast to the guests in the morning and help the housekeeping department, in the laundry room, in the afternoon. Not at all what I had anticipated my first job out of college would be. But, I needed income right away to fulfill my financial obligations and I was determined to live in a gorgeous resort town.

By the time summer was over, the General Manager of the property recognized my hardwork, my ability to work well with others and found me to be a pleasant communicator with the guests. My reward? A move to the front lines as front office clerk (customer service representative) and reservations clerk.

As I began working in the front office, I quickly learned that working “in the trenches” served a purpose besides as a stepping stone to my new position. I had established a great rapport with a department that was so important to the overall efficiency of the entire operation. When I called from the front office to ask the housekeepers to place special priority on cleaning a unit or take extra towels to a guest, the housekeeping department responded rapidly and kindly to my request.

Moral to the story – trust the trenches, for they serve a purpose in life, too! Prove yourself first, and the rewards will come along the way.

P.S. I also learned a life long skill of how to correctly fold those pesky fitted sheets so they will lie neat and tidy on the linen closet shelf. There are lessons to be learned from all experiences in life, if we recognize them!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Offer it Up

3 Comments

“There is no such thing as a ‘self made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us or spoken…”                                    ~ George Matthew Adams

How many times throughout your life have you heard the expression “you never know until you try” ? So many times throughout my life, when I have been pondering “I want to” or “ought to”, this little adage has popped up in my mind, forcing me to take action. As much as I dislike hearing it time and time again, I am glad it has been my constant companion! I try to always remember – all things serve their own purpose!  Without remembering this adage, often I would never have taken action and opportunities would have passed me by.

A few days ago, I blogged about the freedoms we enjoy in this country and about the importance of legal immigrants obeying the letter of the law. I received a comment to this blog, Striking Gold, from a faithful reader of this site. She shared that she and her Mom want to share their family’s story of immigration. Her relatives have built successful careers in their new lands and have tales to tell.

I would like to encourage my faithful blog reader to take advantage of one of the freedoms of our country, independent publishing, to share her family’s tales, not just for her own family’s sake but for the sake of others. There will be many others interested in learning of her family’s accomplishments, their strife, opportunity and their feelings as they arrived in this country and Australia, trying to start life anew.

And like every thing in life “you never know until….” So, go for it, Marie, go for it!  Your relatives did, and so can you!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com