Friday, May 29, 2009

The Garbage Truck*

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.


So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"


This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

* taken from "Mikey's Funnies"

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Whose job is it?

Hosting is something that most of us take for granted. When we are in charge of an event or program, we often assume that everyone will be comfortable. As a guest, we show up, have a great time and go home. However, if you are new, all those warm fuzzies go out the window without hospitality. We feel like we don't belong and may never return.

So whose job is it?


There were four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody
was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody
would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody knew that Anybody could do it, but Nobody
realized that Somebody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody
because Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Hospitality or hosting usually starts with a few people in your organization, but ultimately, EVERY regular attendee should have the concept of hosting or hospitality so they can serve new guests/members.

Hosting isn’t just about making people feel good…

* It’s about creating loyalty in customers
* Selling a brand
* Helping people feel part of something special
* Farm Bureau is about people:
o Giving them good experiences
o Getting them involved
o Developing loyalty, and
o Helping our “guests” connect


Next time, we'll look at some specific ways to show hospitality and keep our new guests and prospective members coming back for more!

Taste your toes lately?

Foot-in-mouth disease.

We've all made mistakes by saying something inappropriate at the wrong time, in the wrong place, in the wrong way or to the wrong person.

No matter what you've experienced, here are a few quick questions to ask yourself before you say anything!

  • Is this helpful? Does it communicate caring for the other person or just help you feel better?
  • Is it necessary? Does this question need to be asked immediately or can it wait?
  • Is this question communicated clearly?
  • Put people first in any communication. If you don't know exactlyl what to say or do, focus on the people that you want to reach out to, taking the focus off yourself and not being sure of what to say. once you start to focus on the other person, it gets much easier.
This is an excerpt from the new leadership buffet workshop, "Etiquette: the art of self-confidence while putting others at ease."

Monday, May 18, 2009

FBY Facebook page up and running

Hi all.

Just a quick note to let you know that the FBY Facebook page is now up and running. Be sure to check it out for the latest news, FBYyouth events, meeting new friends and more!

Check it out here!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ohio-Farm-Bureau-Youth/86667326999?sid=2a06d338c1816487f4c581b79313f663&ref=search

10 tips for meeting etiquette


We've all been in meetings where "that" keeps happening over and over again. It might be cell phones ringing, ongoing commentary from the Peanut Gallery, having to backtrack to update those who are habitually late, and the list goes on.

Here are a few simple meeting etiquette tips to help your meetings flow more smoothly.

1. RSVP if you will OR will not attend.

2. Arrive five minutes early if possible or at the scheduled time at the latest. Do not arrive more than 20 minutes early unless you are plan-ning to help (not talk, but help). Allow the leaders a chance to finish setting up.

3. Be prepared. Bring a pen, paper and your calendar.

4. Don’t interrupt unless the speaker asks for comments or questions or unless the speaker invites com-ments throughout. If you have a great question, write it down and ask it at the appropriate time.

5. Don’t distract. Private conversations with others is distracting to the speaker as well as to those around you. Likewise, avoid clicking your pen, tapping, shaking your leg, playing with rubber bands, etc.

6. Turn off your electronics (cell phones, pagers) and put them away. A vibrating phone or Black-Berry on the table is just as dis-tracting as a ringing phone to those around you. If you are expecting an urgent (emergency) call, put your phone or pager on vibrate and sit near the door or exit so that you can leave quietly. Never answer your phone during a meeting. Avoid reading e-mails and texting as well.

7. Speak up. If you have a question to ask, it’s better to raise your hand and allow the speaker to call on you. Also, keep it brief: No one wants to hear another version of the Gettysburg Address. Be concise and clear when asking questions. If you need to, break your question into parts or several questions and ask only one question at a time.

8. Keep on track. Help your facilitator by keeping on track with topics and avoid social chit chat until the meeting is over.

9. After the meeting, complete any tasks assigned to you as quickly as possible and file any notes you have for later review.

10. Be responsible. If you are unable to attend part or all of the meeting, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.

Taken from the new Leadership Buffet workshop: “Etiquette: the Art of Being Confident While Putting Others at Ease”