Generating your very own QR(Quick Response) Code

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”

I just created my first QR Code, printed it out and it worked the first time I scanned it! It's easier than you think.

I used the Free QR Code generator at http://www.qrstuff.com/

I'm using QR Code Scanner Pro http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13962  on my Blackberry to scan these codes. There are so many different uses for them and you see them everywhere.

WHAT'S A QR CODE?

A QR Code (it stands for "Quick Response") is a cell phone readable bar code that can store website URL's, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses and pretty much any other alphanumeric data

Connecting and The Golden Rule

“Love they neighbor as thyself.”  Luke 10:25-28

There are many different ways to say the golden rule but the meaning no matter what the religion or culture is always the same. I was brought up on it, how about you?

Using the Golden Rule can save you from miscommunication, hurt feelings, etc… Remember most methods of communication do not allow body language, emotions, etc. and are misread. Texts, emails, online chatting, etc… do not show emotion and can easily be misinterpreted. It’s just words without facial expressions or body language.

For every communication method available there is a purpose. We have to decide which is most appropriate to deliver our message. I try to stop and think before I respond or post a message; who is it for, what is it for and is this method the most appropriate to deliver the message. Always keeping the Golden Rule in mind can be helpful.

A few of the many forms of The Golden Rule.:

"Treat others as you would want to be treated."

"Don’t tread on others if you would not have them tread on you"

Luke 10:25-28 Love thy neighbor as thyself.

²⁵And one day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?”

²⁶What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you understand it?” ²⁷He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’(Deuteronomy 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” ²⁸“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.”.

I found some interesting information on the Golden Rule at Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Rule

Embracing Today’s Communication Methods

Embracing Today’s Communication Methods

“No problem can be solved by the same level of thinking that created it.” Albert Einstein

In 1999, I wrote a thesis titled: Email: “Taming the Paperless Tiger.” I formally presented it several times to different audiences over the next few years.  In a nutshell I argued both sides, proving it could be a productive tool in the workplace. Email at the time had been getting a very bad rap and still it was the number one reason people ever got started using the Internet.  In 2011, it’s still one of the top reasons why people start using the Internet.

Today, it’s Social Media. People of all ages are getting online just to use Social Media. I frequently find myself pushed to defend Social Media (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Flickr, Blogging) and usually it’s to people that have formed an opinion before becoming educated on using it as a business communication tool, a lifelong learning tool, a personal communications tool…(the list goes on), or before actually using it themselves!

Could it really improve your life personally and professionally? In my humble opinion, the answer is, yes. Embracing today’s communication tools with a positive attitude I believe it can improve your life not only on a personal level but in your professional life as well.

Watch this video showing the popularity of Social Media in today’s society both personally and professionally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SuNx0UrnEo&feature=player_embedded

Check out the two year old statistics in this video about Social Media:

http://youtu.be/6ILQrUrEWe8