Online Advertising

Become a

Communication Pro!

Eye-Care Essentials for

Computer Users

Summer 2014

Adding Enthusiasm to Your Leadership Skills pp. 4 - 5

Less is More: How to Simplify Your Lifepg. 6

LEADERSHIP

leadershipSUMMER 2014

MiNes & associates10367 West Centennial Road

Littleton, Colorado 80127800.873.7138

www.MINESandAssociates.com

. . . . . . . . CREDItS . . . . . . .

Wellness Library Health Ink and Vitality Communications ©2014

Adding Enthusiasm to Your Leadership Skills pp. 4 - 5

Krames Staywell

Less is More: How to Simplify Your Life pg. 6

Eye-Care Essentials for Computer Users pg. 7

Overcoming Procrastination at Work pg. 11

Business.usa.gov ©2014

Online Advertising pp. 8 - 9

Life Advantages - Author Delvina Mirtemadi ©2014

Become a Communication Pro pg. 10

A word from your Account Management team...

The summer edition of LEADERSHIP is here and so are the long days and heat-filled afternoon commutes. If you find the heat is sapping your energy check out our article on Adding Enthusiasm to Your Leadership Skills and Overcoming Procrastination at Work. Combine these with our tips on Online Advertising and communication techniques and you’re sure to have a nice productive day, but don’t forget to take a second and give your eyes a rest using some Eye-Care Essentials over on page 7.

We here at MINES know that somedays are like a frying pan and some days are pure fire. If you find you’re having a “fire day” and need help beating the heat, call us 24/7 for a little guidance, consultation, or if you just need to talk.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and productive summer.

– The Account Management Team

www.MINESandAssociates.com | 800.873.7138

Total WellbeingThe Year of Integration

Is there a topic you’d like to see us explore? We’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an e-mail at communications@minesandassociates.com and let us know what you’d like to see.

Our theme for 2014, Total Wellbeing, has been designed to help bridge the gap between our potential and optimal wellbeing. We will supply the knowledge necessary to support healthy lifestyles in order to be well in both body and mind. With this idea of mind-body relationship at the forefront, our topics will focus on the 8 dimensions of wellness: Physical, Occupational, Intellectual, Environmental, Financial, Social, Spiritual, and Emotional Wellness. Each month we will explore how different aspects of wellbeing are connected to each other and more importantly how they apply to you so you can achieve balance and promote your own Total Wellbeing.

Social

Emotional

Spiritual Financial

Intellectual

Environmental

Occupational

Physical

TotalWellbeingWebinar SeriesUseful Resources for the Mindful Professional

MINESBlogA Fresh Perspective

Keep an eye out on MINES & Associates in 2014 as we explore the mental health landscape. From financial planning to social influence, physical wellness to emotional health, all aspects of your life are connected and can affect your wellbeing. Let us help you stay on top of this constantly shifting world and make your wellbeing easier to focus on than ever before.

This year we will be talking about all kinds of innovative and useful topics centered around wellbeing and how it relates to you and the world you live in. So we invite you to get in on the conversation today. Read great articles, ask questions, and keep on top of what MINES is up to. See something you like? Rate it on our blog or tell us about it. Want to see something specific? Let us know what interests you and how MINES can help. Just go to www.minesblog.wordpress.com

Join our partner, Brown Richards, for any of their monthly webinars. This year they will cover a huge array of topics from paying for college, single parent survival tips, optimizing brain power, and much more! Visit our website to learn more, or register for upcoming events at www.minesandassociates.com/webinar.

4 LEADERSHIP Summer 2014

Adding Enthusiasm to Your Leadership SkillsYou’ve just been given that promotion you’ve wanted -- and now, suddenly, you’re a manager. to help ease your anxiety about the new position, remember that managing people means more than just giving out assignments. Good managers encourage people to do their best through their enthusiastic leadership and motivation.

“the business world is changing at an exponential rate. Your business will likely fail to grow and compete successfully if you fail to instill a sense of enthusiasm in your staff,” says Hap Klopp, the founder of North Face and coauthor of the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Business Management.

Mr. Klopp suggests adding the following qualities to your leadership skills.

Passionthe best managers are passionate about their work and have a sense of urgency about what needs to be done and when.

“Leadership in management means getting everybody working together amicably for a common goal. It’s team building, and you’re the coach,” Mr. Klopp says. “Quite simply, leadership is seeing that things happen.”

But a sense of urgency is what inspires your people to go the extra mile -- to work at delighting, not just satisfying, the customer, for example.

“Passion for a product or service flows from the top down. If you’re excited about your job and your contribution, it’s more likely your people will be enthusiastic about their contributions, as well,” Mr. Klopp says.

An expanded roleGood management requires having an ongoing set of responsibilities that combine tasks required of an administrator and a teacher with those of a visionary.

In addition to organizational skills that include linking tasks and creating a budget, for instance, managers also need to keep an eye on trends and make predictions about the future of their organizations and their positions in the marketplace.

Summer 2014 LEADERSHIP 5

Consistencythere are many management styles that work. Many people prefer a democratic approach, in which employees are encouraged to ask questions, make suggestions, and have input.

“I like this style because it involves team members in the decision-making process and gives them a good feeling about themselves and the company,” Mr. Klopp says. “the one time this doesn’t work is in a crisis; that’s when you need to assume an authoritative role.”

Another management style is that of the take-charge autocrat who doesn’t worry about what others think. “I don’t prefer this style, but if this is you, that is who you should be,” Mr. Klopp says.

the worst management style “is to waffle and waver, to be an autocrat one moment, a consensus builder the next,” says Mr. Klopp. “If you fall prey to this malady, suddenly everyone’s agenda will be more important than yours and no one will believe in your instincts once they see you don’t believe in them yourself.”

Sharing creditManagers who take all the credit for success and blame all the failures on others aren’t popular leaders or successful motivators.

“Cultivating a sense of teamwork is best,” Mr. Klopp says. “Don’t think ‘you’ and ‘I’; think ‘us.’ Not only will your group be stronger for it, you’ll get better results.”

“Passion for a product or service flows from the top down. If you’re

excited about your job and your contribution, it’s more likely your people will be enthusiastic about

their contributions, as well,”

M

6 LEADERSHIP Summer 2014

Life today is complicated. Most Americans are pulled in multiple directions every day by commitments to their families, workplaces and communities.

Many people have responded to the pressures of modern life by seeking ways to consciously simplify their routines and attitudes at home and work.

“the goal of living a more simple life isn’t to arrive at a static point in your life but to become skilled at balancing your personal relationships, workplace issues, finances, and other demands,” says Heather G. Mitchener, coauthor of the 50 Best Ways to Simplify Your Life.

Being in the momentOne way to simplify your life is to practice mindfulness -- to slow down and recognize and appreciate the simple things in life. to be mindful instead of mindless, stay in the moment and be conscious of what you’re doing. Don’t think ahead or look back.

“When we look ahead constantly, we not only rush through the less pleasant tasks, we also tend to hurry through the things we love to do, because we’re always thinking or worrying about what we have to do next,” says Ms. Mitchener.

A good way to practice being in the moment is to follow your breath, a technique that doesn’t require any special training or self-consciousness. to breathe mindfully, take notice of your breaths and try to make them as calm and even as possible. Your breaths should be long and slow and should come from your diaphragm rather than your upper chest. Pay attention to each breath, letting thoughts fall away.

“You can do this exercise any time you think of it,” says Ms. Mitchener. “Make it a goal to be mindful, in general, but also set aside short periods to practice. this will improve your ability to make mindfulness a habit. As you learn to live this way, you’ll feel more centered.”

Slow downIf you feel like you have too much information in your life, stop subscriptions to magazines, newspapers, or e-mail newsletters you rarely have time to read. Leave the radio and tV off unless you’re really listening to something that matters to you. turn off your cell phone unless you’re making a call or waiting for one that’s important.

to reduce the amount of “stuff” in your home, ask yourself these questions before you buy something: Do I really need it? How often will I wear or use it? Where will I store it? Is there a reason why I must buy it?

Get organizedBegin by sizing up the problem areas in your home or workplace and making a plan of attack. If you’re easily discouraged, start with a small, confined area, such as a single drawer. Otherwise, target an area that gives you the most grief. Your goal should be to clear out clutter that causes you to waste time -- a hall closet that has become a catchall for everything from clothes to sports equipment.

Learn to focus at work. Multitasking can be an asset, but often the lack of focus it requires means you actually get less done in a day, or less done well. to increase your focus and break free from distractions:• Begin each day by setting priorities on what you want to accomplish.• Check e-mail at set times, rather than letting each new message interrupt you.• Set aside a time to retrieve voice mail and return calls.• Keep a calendar of your deadlines and obligations.

Less Is More: How to Simplify Your Life

M

Summer 2014 LEADERSHIP 7

EyE-CarE EssEntials for ComputEr usErsIf you spend hours each day working at a computer screen, you may experience eyestrain, blurred vision, itchy eyes, and occasional double vision.

“But studies have found no indication that working on a computer screen causes permanent vision problems,” says Kent Daum, O.D., an optometrist at the University of Alabama School of Optometry in Birmingham. “Short-term problems, such as tired, irritated, or watery eyes do bother 70 to 75 percent of people who work at computers, but these problems can usually be corrected by wearing a special pair of glasses for computer work, adjusting lighting in the workplace and altering the position of the computer screen.”

CorrECt vision problEmsOne of the easiest ways to prevent eye fatigue and discomfort is to see a vision specialist.

“Minor visual problems, such as astigmatism or imbalances between the eyes, can be corrected by wearing corrective lenses, and you’ll greatly increase your comfort,” Dr. Daum says. “If you don’t have to see distant objects clearly while at the computer, wearing bifocal lenses with the top adjusted for the computer screen and the bottom adjusted for reading is best.”

If your distance vision must be clear while working at the computer, bifocal lenses with the upper part adjusted for distance and a large bottom part adjusted for the computer is recommended. As an alternative, a progressive lens with a large middle section for computer work could be used.

“Some people can comfortably use bifocal contact lenses when working at a computer, but in most cases, glasses will provide greater comfort and clearer vision,” Dr. Daum says.

inCrEasE your Comfortthe following steps can further reduce your eye discomfort and fatigue.

• Place the computer straight in front of you, not off to the side. • Place the screen at right angles to any windows to minimize glare. • Adjust the screen angle to minimize reflections from overhead lights or desk lamps. • Use drapes, shades, or blinds to control window lighting and glare. Vertical or horizontal blinds will

direct light away from you and the computer. • Keep the screen brightness the same or brighter than the brightness of other objects in the room. • Set your computer to display black characters on a white background. • Use an adjustable copy holder to keep reference material at the same height and distance

away from you as the computer screen. “this eliminates the need to change eye focus when looking from one to the other,” Dr. Daum says.

• Use a glare-reduction filter to enhance screen contrast and increase character legibility. Use a three-sided computer hood if glare continues to be a problem.

• Wipe the screen often with an anti-static cloth. • take periodic rest breaks. “Every 15 minutes or so,

look up and focus on a distant object for about two minutes,” Dr. Daum says. “Blinking frequently and using artificial-tear eye drops to relieve dryness and irritation can also help.” M

8 LEADERSHIP Summer 2014

Online AdvertisingYou’ve managed to design your own website, round up the necessary funds, and slog through the various agreements you need to sell your wares over the Internet. You are officially a cyber seller, a net-setter, an e-tailer. Before you start promoting your product, don’t forget about your friends at the Federal trade Commission, because they certainly haven’t forgotten about you. In fact, the FtC recently published a guide for online advertising called Dot Com Disclosures.

Follow some basic points and you’ll be fine: • If your advertisement doesn’t pass muster offline, don’t bother posting it online.• If there’s something your customers ought to know - that the purchase price does not reflect

hidden fees, for instance - disclose it.• Make your disclosure clear and conspicuous.

the rules of conduct are, of course, only fresh until the next technological development, but the FtC has tried to make its guide as general and widely-applicable as possible. Its authority for implementing the new guidelines is derived from Section Five of the Federal trade Commission Act, which prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” this prohibition covers:• Advertising claims• Marketing and promotional activities• General sales methods

the act isn’t limited by medium, either, so the commission ensures consumer protection online as well as in traditional print, television, and other communication modes. In fact, the commission has taken a number of actions over the last six years to prevent online fraud and deception.

The contents of your advertisement must comply with 3 basic principles: • An ad must be truthful and not misleading. So, if an ad is likely to mislead an average consumer

and that misperception influences a customer’s decision to buy or use the product, it is considered deceptive.

• Advertisers must be able to substantiate their claims. If you’re going to run an ad, you must have support for the claims the ad conveys. For example, if your ad claims that tests show xyz.com is a better search engine than cde.com, you should have some test results to back that up. If there is more than one reasonable interpretation a consumer can make, the ad has to substantiate each interpretation.

• An ad cannot be unfair. It’s unfair if, according to the FtC, it causes (or is likely to cause) serious consumer injury that couldn’t have been reasonably avoided and isn’t justified by the potential benefit to consumers or competition. For example, you must disclose all hidden fees. It’s also considered unfair if you don’t admit that you paid individuals for endorsements.

Summer 2014 LEADERSHIP 9

Make It Clear and ConspicuousMuch of the FtC’s Dot Com Disclosures guide is devoted to a discussion of what constitutes a “clear and conspicuous” disclosure. the requirements depend on the nature of the advertisement. to determine if your ad complies, the FtC recommends adopting the perspective of a reasonable consumer and then asking yourself if the disclosure is presented in a way that you would both notice and understand.

There are a number of factors to consider, including: • Whether a single disclosure is sufficient or whether the disclosure needs to be posted at various

points throughout the site.• Whether anything on the site distracts attention from the disclosure.• the location of the disclosure, including where it is in relation to the advertisement (generally, you

should avoid requiring customers to click on a link to read the disclaimer).• the prominence of the disclosure.

You also need to keep in mind that competing browsers may display webpage formats differently, so the effectiveness of a particular disclosure may vary depending on the browser. the FtC links to a number of helpful examples on its website.

Use size, color, and graphics to help highlight the disclosure. there is no need for subtleties here; simply indicate that you are making a disclosure or disclaimer and list those details that the consumer needs to know.

two final notes: first, the FtC emphasizes that its rules and guides using the terms “written” or “writing” apply online as well as offline. Second, the FtC cautions that certain advertisements sent by e-mail may be considered “direct mail advertisements” and thus be subject to certain prohibitions under the direct mail solicitation rules.

Ultimately, if you run an ad on your website that a reasonable consumer will understand and that will not deceive that consumer, you should be fine. If, however, you run an ad that is even slightly deceptive or somewhat confusing, and you fail to “clearly and conspicuously” disclose, you may have a problem. M

10 LEADERSHIP Summer 2014

Become a Communication Pro

Ask for ResponsesIt’s important to leave time and space available so that you can allow others to share. By asking for others’ opinions and thoughts, you’ll show that you care about their feelings. As a result, colleagues and others may come to you more often about concerns or ideas. Ask the following questions to show your interest:• “What do you think about that?”• “Was that easy to understand?”• “Do you feel ok about this?”

Communication BasicsWhether you’re communicating one-on-one or within a group:• try not to make assumptions around what the

other person already knows. Make sure the person knows all the information and has a basic understanding of what you are speaking of.

• Use appropriate language when speaking to another person. the person you are speaking to will have a unique background, skill set, age, and level of experience. try to make it so he or she can best understand you by using clear, direct language that takes these characteristics into consideration.

• Pick a quiet and appropriate place to converse. If the conversation is about a personal matter, make sure the place is private.

Consider Non-Verbal CuesWhen you’re speaking to someone, it’s not just your words that they are observing. think about the messages you are sending through tone of voice and body language:1. tone of voice:• Does your voice sound urgent or hesitant?• Do you sound nervous or are you stammering?• Do you sound light-hearted or belligerent?

2. Body language:• Are you making eye contact?• Are your arms folded?• Are you leaning forward aggressively or looking

relaxed?• Are you fidgeting or obviously distracted?• If your body language and tone of voice send a

different message than your words, try to find out why. Are you really saying what you mean?

Active Listening• Respond to the person who is talking by giving

active feedback like, “Uh-huh,” or “Please, go on.”

• A small nod of your head while a person is talking also reaffirms that you are listening.

Being a good communicator doesn’t just involve good speaking skills; it’s about being a good listener, too. In order to communicate better in all areas of your life, use the following tips to help you develop your abilities and connect with others more effectively.

In the office setting, you can be a more effective communicator with fellow employees by:• Showing people they can trust you by not embarrassing anyone.• Avoiding judgment and sticking to the facts.• Giving praise and feedback regularly.• Asking for clarity when you’re confused: “I want to make sure I’ve

understood you correctly. Do you have an example of what you’re speaking about?”

• Restating the person’s point to check for understanding: “What I’ve heard you say is that you’re…”

• Use body language to show you’re listening (eye contact, nodding your head, etc.)

Practice the tips above to help develop your listening and speaking skills. Communication skills take time and practice, but the more you work at it, the more effective you’ll be. M

Summer 2014 LEADERSHIP 11

Overcoming Procrastination at WorkWe all procrastinate at times, and usually the results are unpleasant but not catastrophic. If you procrastinate a lot, however, it can cost your company thousands of dollars in lost productivity and unhappy customers. It also can cost you your job.“there are two main reasons people procrastinate,” says M. Susan Roberts, Ph.D., a behavioral psychologist and author of Living Without Procrastination: How to Stop Postponing Your Life . “they may be overwhelmed with the project, or they think the task is boring. And, of course, some tasks straddle both categories. they’re overwhelming ones that are drudgery.”to overcome procrastination, Dr. Roberts suggests asking yourself, “What is it about this task that I don’t want to do and why?”Be totally honest because there may be several reasons for the delay.“there’s no single solution. You must try several different strategies to discover what’s going to work for you,” says Dr. Roberts, who recommends the following strategies.

Employ positive self-talkthe number one strategy for getting things done is to psyche yourself up. thinking in a really positive way is essential to getting things done. Change your thinking from, “this is very difficult or boring” to “I really want to do this. I can do this. I want to get this over with.”Get it started. Once you get started, it gets easier and easier. Doing one step at a time will keep the project moving forward.

Modify your environmentIf your task is boring, play some lively music. If you need to concentrate, put a Do Not Disturb sign on your office door or go to a quiet conference room away from distractions.

Don’t use procrastination as a weaponthere’s an imbalance of power between employer and employee. If you have problems accepting authority, you may be angry and unconsciously using procrastination to get back at your boss. this can have a disastrous effect on your work and can put your job in jeopardy.

Give yourself a deadlineIf you weren’t given a deadline for your task, create your own. then, work backward from your deadline and determine how much work you’ll need to do every day.

Ask for a critique of your workMost people fear criticism of completed tasks because they fear failure. If you ask for a critique, it puts you in a position of greater power because you’re asking for the feedback. Expect criticism, and try to anticipate criticism you might hear.

Balance your work & leisure lifeDon’t expect your work to sustain you in an unrealistic way. Use your personal time to do fun and exciting things you enjoy, and you’ll be more willing to do the difficult or unpleasant tasks at work.

Mix and matchJust as you don’t make fruit cocktail with pears alone, no one strategy by itself will overcome procrastination.

“the best news is that you can overcome chronic procrastination,” says Dr. Roberts. “When you start to get things done, it lifts your spirits. You feel like a new person, and it’s very exciting.” M

“When you start to get things done, it lifts your spirits. You feel like a new person, and it’s very exciting.”

Questions? Reach us at 800.873.7138 | www.MINESandAssociates.com

From time to time, situations arise when a supervisor is not sure how to respond to a particular behavior. The Employee Assistance Program is available on a 24/7 basis for consultation on issues such as: referring an employee to the EAP, how best to respond to and manage difficult behavior in the workplace, and whether training or some other form of group intervention (such as an organizational intervention or a conflict resolution) may be helpful for a particular situation. The EAP can serve as an ally to anyone who is working

with a troubled employee.

• 24/7 supervisor consultation regarding problems in the workplace

• Assessment of behavioral risk on the job• Return-to-Duty conferences• Advisory services in writing, revising, and

implementing policies• Supervisor and Manager training• Unlimited formal Work Performance Referrals• Coaching for management and leadership skills• Conflict resolution for supervisor-employee problems

MINES believes that employees are an organization’s most valuable resource. Your EAP is always available to provide you and your employees with support.

The MINES Team

A note to Supervisors...