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Celebrate Your Safety: Thank A First Responder Today

Tomorrow is July 4th, and people all over the US are looking forward to a fun holiday weekend. By all means, celebrate. As Americans, we have so much to be grateful for that we often overlook in the day-to-day monotony of life.

Thank a firefighter. They shoulder a heavy load. — As you’re celebrating the 4th of July this weekend, thank a first responder. They put their life on the line for others every day. // “Courage” by Kara B via CC BY ND 2.0

But please be safe. Before you do something questionable or stupid, remember that you’re putting others at risk too. Every day, hundreds of thousands of first responders around the country (and millions around the world) risk life and limb to rescue people from harrowing situations.

I have the privilege of working with some amazing first responders, specifically firefighters and EMS professionals. What they do on a regular basis is incredible, and the majority of them are volunteers or paid little. That’s right: they risk their lives to save yours, and they’re not even paid for it (or not nearly enough).

So as you’re watching the local 4th of July parade or enjoying the community fireworks, look around. There will be first responders there making sure that everything’s running smoothly and ready to act if anything goes wrong.

Shake a hand. Tip your cap. Say thank you. They deserve it.

Any first responders in the CCC audience? Chime in! Let us know how you serve. And thank you for your service!

Have a safe and happy 4th!
Jaime

While you’re celebrating, get social with CCC!

Social Media: For Better or Worse?

In honor of the fifth annual Social Media Day yesterday, we wanted to stay on subject. While pouring over the coverage, it reminded us how much social media and the digital revolution has changed our lives — for better or worse.

How has social media changed our lives?

Social media and the digital revolution have made some amazing rags-to-riches stories! — Social media and the digital revolution have created some amazing rags-to-riches stories!

For Better

Connecting people around town and around the world
Giving brands direct access to their customers/fans
Spurring revolutions/progress
Easy publishing platform
Crowdfunding/fundraising

Is Facebook the new cigarette? — Is Facebook (or social media in general) the new cigarette?
Photo by JulieFaith via CC BY NC ND 2.0

For Worse

Spreading intolerance/hate/stupidity
Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam (the new email!)
Creating a time suck/productivity black hole (Candy Crush, anyone?)
No boundaries (“head in phone syndrome”)
Theft epidemic of virtual resources

Your turn –> Social Media: For Better or Worse?

Do the pros outweigh the cons for social media?

Share an example of how social media has affected your life — positively or negatively.

Do you spend more or less time on social media than a year ago?

p.s. Don’t forget that CCC can help you with all of your social media needs!

Let’s get social,
Jaime

Get social with CCC!

50 Things I’m Grateful For… Summer 2014 Edition

It’s become an annual tradition at the CCC blog to list 50 unique “things” that I’m currently grateful for. It makes me think and reminds me how blessed I am. The first 50 Things I’m Grateful For post published in May 2012, a month after the blog started, and was an immediate hit. The follow-up post, 50 (More) Things I’m Grateful For, debuted in July of last year. Combined, the posts have generated over 80 responses and interactions. I would love for you to join in the fun and add your list to the comments or on your own blog.

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A post shared by Jaime Shine (@jaimeshine)

Here we go, 2014 edition:

1) Working, reading or relaxing on the hammock in my back yard
2) My reusable cup from Starbucks (and the espresso that goes in it)
3) Cool clients
4) New opportunities
5) How everything tends to work out in the long run
6) A beautiful summer day
7) My parents
8) Technology that allows me to work virtually anywhere
9) Netflix — so I can watch my favorite 80s shows!
10) Boots and flip flops

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11) Muscle cars (late 60s/early 70s are the best)
12) Learning how to rig, fix and “make things work”
13) The number 13, which has always been a favorite of mine (along with black cats)
14) Catching a ball game at the park on a summer day (and keeping score)
15) Four Days in October (the best ESPN 30 for 30 ever)
16) The American Red Cross for saving lives and giving people hope
17) My strong platelet count, which allows me to help others
18) Clean drinking water (which so many people around the world need)
19) Animal prints
20) Trails to run on

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21) New Balance for making running shoes that fit my w i d e feet
22) Nail polish in every color
23) Those moments that become memories
24) A sense of humor
25) Tree houses
26) City water & sewer (greatest advancement in my lifetime!)
27) Sports… to watch, root for, analyze and discuss
28) The opportunity to help others
29) The dog I’m finally going to adopt
30) My business

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31) Listening to the waterfall in my back yard
32) Planting flowers and landscaping
33) Creating (projects, art, campaigns, marketing collateral, stories, etc.)
34) Firefighters, EMS personnel and first responders
35) Different perspectives, opinions and points of view
36) Our local homeless shelter (and so much more)
37) Planes — for opening up a whole, new world to us (especially the one that will take me to Italy one day)
38) The ability to think
39) Swings at the local park
40) Vegetarian enfrijoladas

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41) A tasty mojito on a patio
42) A good book that teaches, inspires or draws you into another world
43) Felt tip pens and notebooks
44) Dry erase boards and sticky notes
45) My Citizen Eco-Drive watch that keeps me on time (well, as much as it can)
46) Random acts of kindness
47) Fresh fruits and vegetables
48) My blender that whips up some delicious green smoothies
49) Gorgeous sunsets
50) My climbing ability (necessary when you’re ‘fun-sized’)

There’s my 50. What are yours? Chime in below or share your list on your blog. With all of the negativity in the world, let’s talk about what we’re grateful for!

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Usually barefoot, always thinking and forever grateful,
Jaime

Connect with CCC; we’d be grateful!

I’m Sorry… Will You Read This?

I hate to bother you but could you do me a favor and read my blog post? Sorry to interrupt but I’d love to hear your feedback. I really don’t want to be a pain. Does this sound like you?

Do you walk around and apologize all of the time? Even when you haven’t done anything wrong?

You may be doing this without even realizing it, like I was. Then I saw the above Pantene ad entitled Not Sorry, and it made me think about my interactions, both professional and personal. While this issue is more common to women, it can affect anyone.

Here’s the problem: constantly apologizing makes you appear unsure of yourself and weak — two things you don’t want to project in the business world (or life for that matter). It also leaves others with the impression that you’re always messing up, which you’re not.

So if you make a mistake, apologize for it. If not, leave the apologizing to someone else.

Don’t Be Sorry, Chime In!

Do you find yourself always apologizing when you haven’t done anything wrong?

How do you think people will treat you differently when you stop apologizing all the time?

Are strong, assertive women labeled as aggressive or bossy?

Thanks for reading!

Jaime

No apologies necessary: connect with CCC!

What’s your stress reliever?

In the middle of a harried day, I just gaze at my computer. This is my view.

Water soothes me. As I noted in a previous post, it doesn’t matter what kind — fresh, salted, chlorinated or bath. It calms me down in the middle of a frenzy and makes any day better.

So what soothes you?

p.s. Enjoy the view.

Cheers,
Jaime

Connect with CCC: we’ll relieve your marketing stress!

How amazing can you be?

Wisdom from the amazing Dr. Maya Angelou, an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace. Your words and actions will continue to have a positive impact for years to come. You truly were a phenomenal woman.

Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

It’s All About Perspective

You’re having a heated discussion with a client, your boss or a co-worker, and you absolutely know that you’re right and they’re wrong. How can they not see it?

An office view… from the 6th floor. You probably wouldn’t notice the patterns on the carpet if you were walking on it. It’s for those with a bird’s eye view.

It’s funny. Situations (and the world, for that matter) seem so black and white until you change your perspective or look at it from someone else’s point of view. Remember, there’s always two (and sometimes more) points of view on every matter.

You may think your boss or a client is so difficult to work with until you become a boss or a client. Suddenly, some of their actions and thought processes begin to make sense (and sometimes they’re just difficult to work with).

Changing your perspective isn’t always about getting along with someone. Have you ever been struggling with writer’s block or stumped for a solution to a complex problem? Change your perspective… literally. If you work in a cubicle at a corporate office, duck into a conference room. If you work from a home office, head to a coffee shop. If you’re sitting in a chair, try standing or sitting on the floor. It may sound strange, but changing your perspective can inspire fresh ideas, solutions and results.

So the next time you’re struggling with a situation, change your perspective. It could change everything.

What’s your perspective?

How have you changed your perspective to solve a problem?

How can you change your perspective (view point, surroundings, etc.) in the future to deal with a difficult situation?

Want another perspective? Check out this awesome post on the subject by Lance Wyllie.

p.s. I kicked this post around in my head for a few hours until I took my laptop out to my back patio. A cool breeze, sunshine and a green smoothie made the words flow.

Listening to the birds chirp,
Jaime

Connect with CCC on social. We’d love to hear your perspective!

Pinterest: In The Spotlight

Pinterest: it’s not just for soccer moms and DIY crafty types. This visual-oriented social platform can be a great place to showcase your business.

Pin this: Now you can spotlight your Pinterest boards right on your website. Just click on the arrows button on the board you’d like to spotlight and grab the code for your site. Nice & easy!

If you’ve yet to utilize Pinterest for business (or aren’t really sure what you’re doing), start with switching to (or opening) a business account. You can still use your account for business and pleasure if you’d like. Switching to a business account just gives you access to analytics and other helpful tools. See which pins are driving the most traffic to your site, being repinned and drawing users in to click for more information.

After setting up your business account, get pinning with these tips:

Take advantage of board descriptions — Let other Pinterest users know what they should expect to find on each board. This is a great place to draw people (and potential customers) in! p.s. Don’t hesitate to include a couple of relevant hashtags to your board subject matter.
Share the love — Repin relevant information from other users in addition to pinning original photos, infographics and images. This is a great way to connect with other like-minded users and develop your professional network.
Find when your audience is on Pinterest — conventional wisdom has been that Pinterest is busier at night and on weekends but that may not be the case for your audience. Play around by posting at different times on different days until you begin to understand when your audience is on the popular site.
Show your story — Pinterest is a great place to show your story, not tell it. Showcase your products and services, successful case studies, happy customers, company culture, community involvement, industry, etc. Don’t be afraid to show some personality and let people know who you and your business are.

Real world examples:

Have a blog? Create a blog board for your posts and consider including interesting posts from other blogs as well.
Sell services? No problem! Stop users mid-scroll by showing the service in action. Let potential customers imagine themselves utilizing the service, so they can click through to your site or contact you for more info. CCC has marketing, social media and writing boards.

Your Turn

Is your business on Pinterest? Share your URL in the comments!

Who’s your favorite brand to follow on Pinterest?

Any other helpful Pinterest tips?

Visually inspired (and impaired),
Jaime

Let’s get social! Connect with CCC:

14 Tips for the High School Class of 2014

college workspace — Oh, the memories. My desk in my college dorm room… I didn’t gain an appreciation of clean lines and white space until later. 🙂

Always carry a notebook. You never know when an idea will strike. (This post was born in mine.)
Start building your professional network now. It’ll come in handy later (and that may be sooner than you think).
Learn every day. Formal education is important but remember that some of your most important lessons will come outside the classroom.
An inspired professor (adviser, coach, counselor, etc.) can change your life.
Be proud of how you got here and plan for the future, but always live in the moment. You miss so much when you don’t.
Work hard but take a moment for yourself now and then. College (and life) should be fun too.
Be a broke college student/young professional now so you can live a little later.
Take a risk. Do something that makes you nervous — and excites you.
Always think of real world applications. How will this class help prepare me for a career? How will this degree help me pursue my dreams? How does this apprenticeship prepare me for my future?
Intern, intern, intern. (And that doesn’t mean you have to work for free.)
Call your Mom once in awhile. She’ll appreciate it. 🙂
Take good advice. (The hard part is knowing which advice is good.)
Make your own decisions. Others can recommend, suggest and help guide you, but you’re responsible for your education and life.
Some may think its cheesy, but take the time to walk on graduation day. You’ll be glad you did later.

college graduation photo — Smile! You’re a college graduate. Yours truly, before walking at graduation.

Share Your Real World Experience

What other tips do you have for this year’s high school graduates?

What do you wish you would have known at 18 years old?

What’s something that you did that worked wonders for you?

p.s. Did you know CCC helps with resumes, cover letters and personal essays, too? They’re a big part of your personal brand, which we all have today, like it or not. What does your personal brand say about you?

Class of ’99 and ’03,
Jaime

Let’s learn together –> connect with CCC:

Your Comfort Zone: Where the Magic Happens

We’ve all seen this picture before, and I get the message. Sometimes you have to do things in life and business that make you uncomfortable in order to succeed. But if you’re uncomfortable day in and day out in your normal environment, are you really going to accomplish much?

Here’s my advice: get in your comfort zone. Find out what makes you productive.

Are you distracted in a condo cube environment? Wear headphones or ear plugs. Do you get brilliant ideas outside of the office? Go for a run or head for a coffee shop for lunch. Early riser or certified night owl? Talk to your boss about adjusting your hours or allowing you to handle certain tasks at home.

We all have preconceived notions about how business is supposed to work. Sometimes these long-held beliefs actually make us less productive, less efficient and more frustrated.

So go ahead… think outside the box to find your comfort zone. Hey, it’s where the magic happens.

How do you get in your comfort zone?

In my comfort zone (blogging at 12:30am),
Jaime

Connect with CCC: we’re in your comfort zone!