TED said it best:  Listening to stories widens the imagination; telling them lets us leap over cultural walls, embrace different experiences, feel what others feel. Elif Shafak builds on this simple idea to argue that fiction can overcome identity politics.

“Stand by Me” performed by musicians around the world

From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

Order the CD/DVD Playing For Change “Songs Around The World” now at amazon.com!

2008 - 2010

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Tonight a client complained to me about the fact that she is unable to get any work done because people are always interrupting her. I asked her if she had ever considered putting a ‘do not disturb’ sign on her desk.

“I couldn’t do that” she replied in horror, “what would people think?”

I replied that someone we both know has a sign that she puts up on her office door when she does not want to be disturbed.

“Well that is o.k,” she replied, “she has an office.”

Huh, I said, “I wonder what makes it o.k. For someone who already has the protection of 4 walls and a door, to say they do not want to be disturbed, but it is not alright for someone who has only a desk or a cubicle, when they are in fact much more vulnerable to having their work disrupted?”

She is still thinking about that, so in the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

~ Krissy

Easter is upon us, and I wanted to send greetings with those of you who celebrate this holiday. I also wanted to reach out to those of you who don’t. I wondered how I might do this, and I finally decided that the best way would be to share a personal story.

I am not sure how religious I am. Now in my 40’s I am still trying to work that question out, mostly without much luck.

But Easter is special for me, and I thought today I would tell you why.

When I think of Easter, I can immediately smell hot cross buns.

I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere in New Zealand, and we did not go to church that often, mainly because church was a tiny chapel in a nearby village and there were only services for Christmas, Easter, Weddings and Christenings.

I will never forget Easter Sunday though. We would dress in the morning, dad would find an excuse to disappear and the rest of us, my mother, me, my brother, and my two younger sisters would go to Church.  When we got home my mother would make hot cross buns. If we were good, and I hope, washed our hands, we could put the crosses on the buns.

Read full article here.

Mentoring Your Potential Successor

by David G. Jensen, Search Masters International

One nugget of advice that may be passed along to you when you first become a manager is the axiom, “If you want to get promoted, then you have to train your replacement.” Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But the road to developing a team member for potential promotion is not an easy one. In this column, I explain a number of difficulties that can come up along the way and describe how you can start off on the right foot by succeeding as a mentor.

Read full article here

Learn more about this and other job promotional tips when you join our webinar on June 23

As read on Bnet the place to go for management…

Volatile economic times bring out workplace volatility, too. If stress has your employees behaving badly, here’s how to take back the office.

An ugly economy can often bring out the worst in employees and managers alike. If so, it could be costing you big at a time when you can’t afford it. Studies show that bullies aren’t just bad for morale — they also cost companies millions each year as they drive up turnover and absenteeism and drive down morale and productivity. We take a look at the phenomenon and its financial and legal repercussions, along with tips for what to do when you’ve got a bad apple on your team.

Read on

(My village New Years Day 2009)

Here in Switzerland, I woke this morning and was delighted to open my curtains and be greeted by a snowy landscape and a blue sky. What a fabulous way to start the New Year!!!

But before I go out to enjoy it, I want to take a moment to wish you a wonderful 2009, full of love, laughter and opportunity!

I look forward to catching up with you soon.

Warmly,

Krissy

I was driving along the side of the lake of Zug this morning, (Unfortunately, as is always the way at such times, I did not have a camera with me.) and I saw a duck standing on a rock jutting out of the water, it’s wings fully extended, enjoying the sensation of a breeze on its feathers - I swear I could practically see the thing grinning!!! Lined up in the water behind her/him were about four or five others, who apparently seemed to be waiting their turn.

It is miserable this morning, it is foggy, freezing cold and the weather cannot decide if it wants to rain or snow, but the ducks did not care, this momentary scene reminded me of why we too should live in the moment.

…and animals are not stupid.

 My family also has a story a little like this.

For those who know me, I know this always surprises you - but I spent the first 12 years of my life growing up on a farm in New Zealand.

One day my mother was down in one of the large fields (paddock for those of you who live in the southern hemisphere) picking blackberries. Her pail/bucket was almost full when she sensed something.

She looked up and to her horror one of my father’s largest bulls was charging straight at her.

She was so frightened she was rooted to the spot.

Just as she thought she was going to be trampled the bull stopped short and stuck its head in her bucket.

To this day we are not sure who was more surprised my mother, or the huge bull with blackberry juice all over his nose.

It transpired that this bull has once been hand reared as one of the family pets after losing his mother and he was expecting a bucket of warm frothy milk!

If you have a great animal story I would love to hear it.

Is diet an issue for you?

Do you have food intollerances, need to lose weight or just want some great “QUICK” ideas for eating more healthily? If so check out the Career Girls Recipe Blog.

Note: If you would like to share your favorite recipes with us I welcome all healthy recipies. Just send them to me at

christine (at) ITGirlsCoach.com