May Is National Military Appreciation Month

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I’m sad to announce both chambers of the U.S. Congress adopted a resolution calling for Americans to recognize and honor U.S. service members during National Military Appreciation Month in May.

Why sadness in that announcement? I can think of a number of reasons.

Thank you for reading this. Do you have any idea how many people on the Internet had access to the title of this article, and when realizing the subject, simply went on to more important things? Some rushed off to a game of golf … some had to get to the mall … others had more important things to pursue on the computer. Few, if any, realized that they were blessed with those choices because we have men and women stationed all over the Earth protecting our right to do so. Those freedoms come at a very high price. Ask someone who has lost a loved one, friend, or family member in battle half way around the world. And yet our golfer, shopper, techie, and so many others are too busy to pause to pay tribute to those who made that supreme sacrifice.

Another reason? Those in both chambers of the U.S. Congress adopted that resolution for political reasons, to look good to voters, and to gain personal recognition for doing so. You would be shocked at the number who have never served their country as members of any military force simply because they knew someone who could pull the strings to avoid such service. In addition, few of their children are serving. After all, they could get injured or even killed. And yet this governing body doesn’t hesitate to send these loyal service men and women back into service for tour after tour after tour.

Another reason? We should NOT designate a month each year to honor those serving our country! Do they fight and protect us just one month out of the year? Do they die during just one month of the calendar year? We should be honoring them and praying for their protection and safe return EVERY DAY of the year, but we’re too busy for that. We easily forget where they are and what they’re doing every minute of the day while we busily enjoy our freedoms.

This month culminates with Memorial Day, a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. The day, dating from the Civil War era, traditionally has marked recognition of those who have died in service to the nation. Each year on Memorial Day, the White House Commission on Remembrance promotes one minute of silence at 3 p.m. local time to honor the military’s fallen comrades and to pay tribute to the sacrifices by the nation’s service members and veterans. ONE MOMENT OF SILENCE for a lifetime of freedoms and sacrifice? Many won’t even take that one moment. Strive for a “moment a day,” knowing that falls short of what our service men and women deserve. YOU make a difference!

Support your USO (United Service Organizations), encourage your children to write a letter to someone stationed overseas, greet those returning, and pray for all of those serving.

You might enjoy this video we shared last year saluting the many who love, appreciate and support our service men and woman. It’s hard to watch this video without shedding a tear. Maybe it will inspire you to DO rather than PAUSE, ACT rather than THINK, and make a difference in the lives of those protecting our lives and freedoms.

Being a Veteran myself, I’m proud of a grandfather, four uncles, and three cousins who served our country. I add to that list my Marine son who returned safely after his tour of duty. My heart is saddened for the families, friends and loved ones of those who never returned. Think about it. Then make a difference!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Dollars and Census!

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How much do you know about the 2010 Census? According to several recent surveys, most American citizens know very little about the 10-question document that recently arrived in their mail.

The U.S. Census is a process which counts every resident in the United States and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.

The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like:

  • Hospitals
  • Job training centers
  • Schools
  • Senior centers
  • Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
  • Emergency services

The data collected by the census will also help determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The above information is relatively common knowledge and somewhat easy to find. However, the following information isn’t exactly being promoted by government officials. However, since it’s YOUR tax dollars being spent, you might want to know where that money is going. Then let your senators and representatives know how you feel about it—good or bad. If you don’t know how to contact your governmental representatives, simply use this link to find out.

Now, lets see if these figures make “census” to you!

To ask us 10 simple questions this year via the 2010 Census, it’s going to cost an estimated $14.5 BILLION dollars! Yes, BILLION!

The Census Bureau must reach 134 million households, and the results are critical as it determines how $400 billion in federal funds are allocated every year and how seats in the House of Representatives are decided.

And since we’re talking about your money … keep in mind that every unreturned form will cost about $56 in follow-up action to get those questions answered. Therefore, if you haven’t returned your form, expect a knock on your door by someone asking the questions in person.

FACTS:

The Census Bureau is expected to hire an estimated 870,000 people this year to fill 1.2 million field positions (some will work more than one job). Each person will be paid between $10 and $25 per hour. It will cost:

  • $1.5 billion for regional and local offices and staff.
  • $654.2 million for other field operations.
  • $341.1 million for vacancy confirmation.
  • $257.2 million for postage.
  • $2.74 billion for non-response follow-up.
  • $116.5 million for printing.
  • $338 million for advertising and communications.
  • $2.05 billion for IT systems for data collection and assessment.
  • $499.9 million for master address file and mapping.
  • $1.70 billion for American Community survey.
  • $4.33 billion for other expenses which include headquarters costs, planning, research, and tests.

TOTAL COST: $14.5 BILLION

Good thing we only do this every 10 years.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Time Flies … But You’re the Navigator

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Time:

  • Some waste it.
  • Most need more.
  • Many try to save it.
  • No one has enough.

This “time challenge” is nothing new. It’s been around since time immemorial.

It will be with us until the end of time. It’s how we make the most of our time that differentiates the successful from those who continue to suffer the consequences of stress.

Would you like to see how fast and effortless you can actually change your life? You might be surprised! Read on to discover this powerful strategy … unless you don’t have time!

Think about this:

How many minutes are in one year? In a non-leap year, there are 525,600 minutes in one year. In a leap year, there are 527,040 minutes.

Of those Five Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred minutes you were blessed with last year, how many were devoted to:

  • Learning?
  • In church?
  • Meditating?
  • Exercising?
  • Researching?
  • Bench marking?
  • Deep breathing?
  • Reading a book?
  • Exploring nature?
  • Volunteering in your community?
  • Casually chatting with your parents?
  • Casually chatting with your siblings?
  • Casually chatting with your children?
  • Casually chatting with your neighbors?
  • Casually chatting with your co-workers?
  • Casually chatting with your grandchildren?
  • Sharing your experience and expertise as a tutor?
  • Sharing your experience and expertise as a mentor?
  • Casually chatting with your spouse or significant other?

If you had invested some of those precious moments in any of the above activities, you’d be better off today in so many ways. By the way, what were you doing that didn’t permit you to invest even a few of those moments in one of the activities listed above?

Let’s do a couple of quick re-frames. Be honest as you answer the following.

Re-frame #1

Let’s say you dropped dead right now. You get to wherever you’re going, take a deep, well-deserved breath, grab a comfortable chair, and look back closely over the past year of your life. Are you satisfied with how you invested your time during your last year on earth? If you could, would you change your time allotments? Would you and those in your life prefer that you had spent more of those final moments investing in the areas mentioned above? It’s not too late!

Re-frame #2

Let’s say it’s time for your annual physical check-up. You’re close to your doctor so he doesn’t hesitate being very frank with you. After some tests, he sits down with you and explains that you have one year to live. Absolutely certain. You’ll be able to conduct your daily routine as usual. No pain. No limitations. At the end of one year, your death will be painless, but certain.

After you get over the initial shock, you start to focus on the coming year and how you’re going to spend it. More time at work? Bringing more work home? Maybe considering some of those things mentioned above? Five minutes ago you probably thought something along the lines of: “Nice list. Very touching. That would be nice. However, the reality is I’m too busy for that stuff. I have a life to live!”

How do you feel knowing that life now consists of just 525,600 minutes? How do you want to spend them now? See how quickly you can re-frame your thinking … change your mind and actions, and enhance the lives of others as well as your own? That’s a tremendous skill which YOU possess. Why wait until you hear from the doctor? Do it now! Avoid regret! Are you SPENDING your time or INVESTING your time.

I hope reading this message didn’t waste any of your time!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

We Lost Another Hero

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We recently lost a genuine hero. The majority of you probably won’t recognize his name. He definitely doesn’t fit the usual depiction of what we consider a “hero” … but he more than fills the bill!

His name was Ernie Harwell, and he was the longtime voice of the Detroit Tigers on radio and television. But wait … this is NOT a baseball story. Not by a long shot. It’s the story of a very unique 92-year-old man who spent the majority of his life loving the world of baseball like no other could possibly do. Note that I didn’t say the game of baseball. I instead used the word “world” … and for good reason.

I’ve watched the city of Detroit and its proud citizenry lose a lot over the past few decades. The Motor City lost thousands of jobs, Motown Music, the Pistons, Tiger Stadium, a corrupt city hall, prestige among the Big Three, and a sense of pride … and now, Ernie Harwell, the “Voice of Summer.”

Yes, Ernie was a very unique man. He loved everything that had anything to do with the game of baseball: holdouts, lockouts, strikes and steroid scandals … fans, stands, stadiums and beer … players, managers, umpires and bat boys. Ernie loved it all. And, as a result, the world soon grew to love Ernie as an intricate part of the world of baseball. That’s why strange things happened in Detroit last week.

Tens of thousands of fans of all ages lined the sidewalk outside of Comerica Park in downtown Detroit to pay their final respects to this cherished broadcaster. The large groups included past and present ball players from many different major league teams, government officials, several rock stars and movie stars, children and seniors.

Hundreds of fans began lining up before midnight the night before in order to view the open casket bearing their Tiger “hero.”

Ernie was dressed in his signature hat … his casket positioned behind metal barriers just inside the stadium’s front gate.

The casket was placed near a life-sized statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster, microphone in hand and several large portraits and memorial bouquets adorned the area.

Three city parking lots offered free parking for all of those paying their respects. That’s unheard of in Detroit.

Restaurant and theater marquees all over the city spelled out farewell messages to this special “Detroiter.”

Both the Tiger general manager and owner greeted mourners for hours after they paid their respects.

A half hour after the viewing began, the cool morning air was filled with plaintive tones of a trumpet outside the stadium, pointed in Harwell’s direction, playing taps. Nary a dry eye could be seen.

Ernie’s family and Tiger officials promised the stadium would remain open until the last Tiger fan paid his/her respects. It was a beautiful day in Detroit … for so many reasons, including the weather.

Why was this man so beloved by so many? It actually had little to do with baseball and much to do with the fact that Ernie was a “class act” who loved his team, his fans, his city, and his state with deep pride and great respect!

I could ramble on for pages sharing the many stories of this legend. Instead allow me to briefly state a few of the many reasons Ernie was cherished by so many for so long.

  • The man possessed a humble sweetness appreciated by all who knew him or even heard his voice on the radio.
  • Young Ernie Harwell had a speech impediment which he corrected by taking weekly lessons with an elocution teacher.
  • Ernie is the only announcer in baseball history to be traded for a player!
  • He was a Hall of Fame radio and television broadcaster who entertained millions of fans for 60 years for five different teams … 42 years for the Tigers.
  • Ernie was a songwriter, producing 46 songs that have been recorded.
  • He was a poet who would talk about baseball the way Thoreau talked about the woods.
  • Ernie was a member of your family as you were growing up.
  • He was the voice of your imagination when you couldn’t see the game.
  • Ernie was your own special connection to baseball’s glorious past.
  • Ernie was a man of devotion, sharing 68 years of marriage to his lovely wife, Lulu.
  • Ernie possessed an unshakable belief in every good thing baseball wants to believe about itself—the game as a metaphor for life. He believed life began anew with Spring Training, and would quote the Song of Solomon before the season’s first pitch.
  • His voice was rich and grew richer with time. His diction was precise, a smooth Georgia drawl, with a near-exaggerated articulation.
  • Ernie was cherished not simply because he was part of fans’ lives, but because the fans were part of his.
  • Millions of fans everywhere knew Ernie, and felt like he knew them.
  • Ernie was a symbol of America—an America of unaffected optimism, and quieter, more confident heroes.

It’s sad indeed to think that generations to come will more than likely never experience a baseball game as millions have with Ernie. His “class act” has brought joy, happiness, content and memories to his legion of faithful fans who will miss him dearly. Having lived in Michigan most of my life, I can’t remember the last time Detroit has shed this many tears.

Maybe Ernie’s death will remind those in Michigan what unites them and why saving the spirit that Ernie endeared is so important. He was indeed a “hero.”

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Carpe Diem – No, Seriously!

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Isn’t it odd how some things catch you totally off guard when you least expect them to? As many of my friends know, I work late into the night every night … that’s my most productive time. No phones, no visitors, quiet time to ponder and produce.

I was doing just that last night when I received an unexpected e-mail from a high school classmate. Over the past few years, he has taken on a project of creating and updating a newsletter for graduates of our alma mater. He began by focusing on his own particular class, but it has since rapidly grown in popularity to include well over a decade of graduates. He sent me two newsletters to browse along with an invitation to join the mailing list.

To be honest, I planned on glancing at the newsletters and pretty much forgetting about the invitation as I’ve never been much of a “class reunion, good-ole-days, let’s-get-together-and-share-a-beer-as-we-recall-ole-times” type of guy. I’ve always focused more on the future than the past.

However, as I began browsing through the newsletter, I felt as though I had been struck between the eyes with a two-by-four swung by the 250 lb. fullback I played football with in the “good-ole-days”!

There, on those pages, I saw current pictures of old classmates and somehow they had changed to resemble what I recall as the appearance of parents and grandparents back in the day. Some looked only 10 years older—but still obviously older—while others looked as though they had aged 40 or 50 years! These were my friends, neighbors and classmates in high school! I couldn’t believe my eyes! They all looked fine—just a lot older! What happened?

Then it suddenly dawned on me that there’s more than a very good chance that I, too, resemble a grandpa. In fact, I am one—9 times over! I have children who have children who are nearing the age to have children! OUCH! Isn’t it amazing that we don’t see or feel ourselves aging every year because we do it so slowly. It’s only when you haven’t seen someone for a while that you noticed they’ve aged!

Anyway, I was far from finished being amazed. I then came across a page listing names of those classmates who are no longer with us … and the list was l-o-n-g! I can’t explain the empty feeling I experienced as I browsed that list! I saw names of girls I danced with at the after-game school hops. I saw names of guys I played baseball, basketball, and football with year after year after year. And now they’re gone! I found myself challenging what my eyes beheld.

A thousand thoughts ran through my mind. Astonished at those old friends who have left us. Grateful that I was still enjoying a wonderful life. Fear that I may be the next to join that list. And it’s not just an age thing here. You read every day about 25-year-old heart attack victims. You just never know.

I’m certainly not trying to be morbid here—that’s far from my style. However, these two newsletters provided me with a very strong dose of reality. Made me review how I’m spending my time. Made me wonder if I’m saying what I need to say to those I need to say it to. Made me rethink my priorities.

I’ve always been a big fan of a scene from Robin Williams’ portrayal of a college professor in Dead Poets Society. In fact, not long ago, I wrote a blog article about the movie and the theme of the phrase “CARPE DIEM” (Seize the Day!). That article contains a short video clip of Robin explaining this powerful phrase to his class. It’s a classic that everyone should see at one point in their lives! While it’s always been very dear to my heart, it now takes on an entirely different meaning to me. It forced me to question my life in hopes of assuring myself that I’m doing all I can do to “Seize the Day.”

Examine the two graphics above and appreciate the powerful message each provides. The sands of time are rapidly slipping through our hands and an approaching wave will soon dissipate the message in the sand. Think about it!

As a result of that midnight e-mail, I revisited that video clip, I’ve reordered a few priorities, I’ve gained a valuable perspective, I continue to respect my “Midnight Muses” … and I signed up for my high school alumni newsletter!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Origin of Moms

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As we approach another Mother’s Day, I find myself with many thoughts about this very special annual occasion.

I cherish memories of my own devoted mother who passed many years ago. I fondly remember my grandmother and the special love she shared with her large loving clan.

I now have two daughters and a daughter-in-law (Tammy, Jamie, and Heather) who all do a fantastic job of raising my nine grandchildren. I’m so proud of watching them apply their skills with such adoration and affection.

I watch with respect and enjoyment as our V.P. Melanie discovers new joys daily as she approaches her second official Mother’s Day with her son.

I have many friends and family members who are so looking forward to being honored Sunday and each are indeed deserving of such honor.

In thinking of these special woman, I couldn’t help but wonder about the origin of moms. A little research revealed this age old explanation by my favorite author … Anonymous. Enjoy.

How Moms Were Made

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day working overtime.

An Angel appeared and said, “Why are you spending so much time on this one?” And the Lord answered and said, “Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 200 movable parts, all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up. Have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart. And have six pairs of hands.”

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. “Six pairs of hands! No Way!” said the Angel. The Lord replied, “Oh, it’s not the hands that are the problem. It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!”

“And that’s on the standard model?” the Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, “Yes, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head, to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word.”

The Angel tried to stop the Lord, “This is too much work for one day! Wait until tomorrow to finish.”

“But I can’t!” the Lord protested, “I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.”

“She already heals herself when she is sick; AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower.”

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, “But you have made her so soft, Lord.”

“She is soft,” the Lord agreed, “but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”

“Will she be able to think?” asked the Angel. The Lord replied, “Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate.”

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman’s cheek. “Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.”

“That’s not a leak,” the Lord objected, “That’s a tear!”

“What’s the tear for?” the Angel asked. The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride.”

The Angel was impressed. “You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!”

The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, “I’m afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear!”

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Sunday Is Mother’s Day … But It Shouldn’t Be!

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Are you offended by the title of this article? You shouldn’t be! You should whole-heartedly agree with it!

The resolution for having a dedicated Mother’s Day was signed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Mother’s Day with joy and devotion.

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and crayon-scribbled “I Love You”s.

However, I personally DON’T believe we should dedicate a day for this ritual and observance! I believe we should be honoring mothers EVERY day! One day isn’t enough to bestow enough praise, honor, appreciation and respect on women who have dedicated their lives to the service of so many others while wearing the many various “hats” needed to do so.

My mother was very young when we lost her as a result of an auto accident. She died on the same day my son was born in the same hospital. I’m not entirely certain I ever got over that dire circumstance.

Although we lost her at a young age, I have an unlimited number of very fond memories by which to remember this precious woman. I guess I best remember my mother as the person who, seeing there are only three pieces of pie left for our family of four people, promptly recalls that she never did care for pie!

I also vividly remember this angel I called “Mom” as a housekeeper, disciplinarian, teacher, caterer/short order cook/chef, nurse, plumber, electrician, role model, chauffeur, maid, butler, caretaker, cheerleader, referee, janitor, drill sergeant, commuter, policeman, prayer-warrior, social director, leader, team player, manager, visionary, mentor, coach, counselor, clown, travel agent, recreation creator, banker, communicator, negotiator, technician, computer whiz, task master, bookkeeper, peacekeeper, therapist, story teller, librarian, personal shopper, sports fan, entertainer, story teller, babysitter, activist, companion, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and mother!

I fully realize that I’m not the only one who recalls their mother with such reverence. However, there is a possibility that I may recall her astonishing attributes a little more often because I haven’t been able to celebrate with her for the past 34 years.

Therefore, if you’re fortunate enough to be able to do so, spend more time with your mother. Recognize, appreciate, and cherish the many things that make her so very special. And most importantly—tell her. Now and often!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Can You Read This? Thank a Teacher!

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In one of our seminar exercises illustrating the power of the subconscious, I ask the audience, by a show of hands, how many can remember the name of their Kindergarten teacher. Without fail, at least 50% of the audience raises their hands. When you think about that, it’s remarkable! Most of those people are recalling a name from anywhere from 25 to 50 years ago! And with good reason. Many of us have very fond memories of the person who introduced us to a culture we would experience for years to come.

In other cases, many remember other teachers that impacted them in a very powerful way. It may have been in middle school, high school or college. It may well have been a Sunday school teacher. We may recall them as an instructor or professor. It may have been a facilitator of a seminar or a military instructor. Regardless, we remember and appreciate.

Showing our teacher appreciation shouldn’t be limited to a week or even a single day. However, establishing a particular time of the year for teacher appreciation helps us to remember how important teachers are in our society.

Tomorrow, May 4th, is Teacher Appreciation Day and today kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week. Learn more about the importance of these celebrations and view a terrific video by simply clicking on this link … and then thank a teacher.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Another Tradition Bites the Dust

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I lost both of my parents at a relatively young age. I sometimes smile at the thought of them returning for a single day to sit and chat in the comfort of my home. I am totally overwhelmed at the speculation of trying to bring them up to date on the many changes which have taken place in just the past 20 years alone!

Can you imagine trying to explain even one of the following concepts to someone who’s totally unaware: cell phones, e-mail, GPS, iPods, Blackberries, Kindles, HDTV-TV, Wii, Facebook, Google, eBay, printing photos at home, spray on lawns, TV signals from a satellite, square watermelons, computer dating, indoor ski resorts in the desert, dinner in the sky, robotic surgery and the list goes on and on.

Well, now we have something new to add to the list. I remember fondly sitting at our kitchen table as a child helping my mom cut out grocery coupons from the daily paper. She had a file box in which she filed the coupons alphabetically. It was a weekly tradition which I enjoyed as Mom and I chatted light-heartedly as we clipped our way to savings on our grocery bill.

Well, that’s now coming to an end with the advent of electronic coupons. Who would have ever “thunk”?

Here’s how it works. Free coupons load directly to your participating grocery store savings card, so there are no paper coupons to lose or forget.

Shortcuts.com electronic coupons are a convenient way to save money at the grocery store. Free coupons load directly to your participating grocery store savings card, so there are no paper coupons to lose or forget.

There are just three steps to free coupon savings:

  • Register your grocery store saving card.
  • Select the grocery coupons you want.
  • Swipe your card at the checkout and the coupon discounts are deducted automatically.

Save paper. Save time. Save labor.

If you’re still looking for more ways to save, there are actually thousands of electronic coupon sites you can choose from. Typing “(the store name) coupon” into Google will likely yield you thousands of hits, but not all coupon sites are the same. Some sites have a limited supply of working coupon codes and are a total waste of time. Others force you to weed through advertisements to find what you want.

Here are five sites to look for coupons and what makes them so great:

  1. RetailMeNot.com: This site takes a community-based approach to electronic coupons. Users supply feedback about whether or not a coupon code worked and if there were any strings attached to the offer. Under each coupon the site displays stats on the success rate. This makes it easy to tell which coupons are worth trying and which are not. Many of the coupon codes listed are also user-submitted. Unfortunately, many larger retailers have requested user submissions blocked for their sites.
  2. CouponCabin.com: This site monitors more than 1,200 online stores and has a wide selection of electronic coupons. The staff updates the directory three times a day, so most of the coupons are current. Users can receive a weekly e-newsletter on Mondays to see the best deals for the coming week. In addition to electronic coupons, CouponCabin also offers printable coupons and grocery coupons as well.
  3. FatWallet.com: This site has more than 800 merchant partners and features both coupons and a cash back opportunity. Like all coupon sites, Fatwallet.com earns commission from stores for the purchases its users make. Unlike other coupon sites, FatWallet.com will share part of that commission with you. For example, FatWallet.com makes a 3% commission on Orbitz.com sales. That’s $15 on a $500 trip. To reward customers, a portion of that commission is transferred into customer accounts and paid out as cash.
  4. CouponMom.com: This site features an easy-to-use interface so you can find the coupons you want faster. Besides online coupon codes, you can also get grocery coupons, restaurant coupons and free samples. Users can sign up for e-mail alerts to notify them when new coupons are posted for their favorite stores.
  5. BradsDeals.com: This site has a slick design with virtual coupons complete with dotted cutout lines. There are sections for top deals, newest deals, online coupons and printable coupons. Additionally, BradsDeals informs you on the homepage which deals are about to expire so you don’t miss out. At BradsDeals you only see current offers and don’t have to sort through a lot of useless information.

There are many, many more options for you to choose from if you have the time to browse the Internet. It’s apparently well worth your time and effort to do so.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Is Teamwork a Myth?

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Again, it’s my most productive time of the day—after midnight. Tonight I’ve been researching an age-old topic which has been discussed and debated for centuries … TEAMWORK. So much has been written on this subject, and yet it continues to be an elusive reality for so many organizations. Management gurus and authors alike have encouraged us forever to tap the enormous potential and never-ending benefits of TEAMWORK.

We constantly hear so much about the importance of “Walking the Talk” and yet the book Work Abuse reveals that 95% of today’s managers continue to practice autocratic, dictatorial behaviors in a world that constantly talks teamwork. 95%! That is mind-boggling!

Yet historians will reflect back on these times with reports that the leading organizations in every industry were well-known for the focus, training and support of TEAMWORK and that it, indeed, was a crucial factor in their success.

Why can’t less successful companies observe and acknowledge the power of TEAMWORK as demonstrated by leading organizations from coast to coast?

In the book From the Ground Up, the author states that only 5% of the organizational leaders in the U.S. today will implement the “best practices” pioneered at today’s most admired companies. 5%! Again, mind boggling!

Consider the number of companies, in every industry, that have simply fallen by the wayside, no longer existing, forgotten by everyone … because they couldn’t function, produce and succeed as a team! It became a “life and death” issue for them and will be for many more in the future.

Speaking of “life and death” and TEAMWORK … I can’t think of a better example of both than the Navy’s world-renowned Blue Angels that have dominated air space since 1946. They are currently the oldest flying aerobatic team in the world. The six-plane squadron performs 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year and has entertained more than 427 million spectators worldwide.

While I haven’t been fortunate enough to be a passenger in one of those Boeing F/A-18 Hornets, I did have the privilege of meeting a few of the talented pilots and actually sat in a cockpit for a few minutes. The dedication and discipline of these well-trained pilots is critical to their success. Their moment-to-moment TEAMWORK is a life and death issue each and every day. The Blue Angels share and demonstrate nine key principles of teamwork which can easily be adapted to any organization that seeks success and growth in today’s chaotic business environment. Take a look at this short video and think about how your team can benefit from adopting these powerful principles.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.