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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  • 5 Ways to Be Layoff Proof

    While on the job, do you feel the hot breath of an economic downturn blowing down your neck?

    With all the turmoil in the economy, it's easy to get fixated on doom and gloom, but you don't need to panic.  Here are five steps to help increase your "employee value" and avoid that pink slip:

    1. Make money or save money?

    The private sector economy has become extremely bottom-line oriented.  Employers categorize employees into one of two distinct groups:

    1. Those who help make money

    2. Those who help save money

    Which one are you?

    Even if you feel far removed from the corporate bottom line, start thinking of yourself as a mini profit-and-loss center rather than just an employee.

    For example, an administrative assistant handling incoming client phone calls helps to create a solid bond with those clients and strengthens the sales link with the company.  In that way, she helps to make money for the company.  This same individual is also skilled at answering questions that would normally be directed to her boss or other employees.  She saves time and, therefore, saves money for her company.

    Collect specific examples of the benefits that your company gains from your work and the specific or unique way that you accomplish your duties.  Write these down and use them as selling points during your next performance review.

    2. Become indispensable

    Don't hide away in your office or cubicle.  Look around you.  Take notice of those roles, projects or activities that seem to be getting a higher level of attention or involvement from management.  If you're not already a part of a critical project, then find ways to become more involved in these activities.  Ask to be transferred to a critical area.  Otherwise, volunteer for extra duties to support these activities.  You'll be viewed as an employee who goes the extra mile while inoculating yourself against expendability when the pink slips get handed out.

    3. Better to manage or produce?

    When considered for a promotion from a production job to a junior manager role, think about how that could play out in a worsening economy.  It may be to your advantage to keep your hand in production, as junior managers tend to be among the most expendable when a company downsizes. 

    4. Dust off your Rolodex

    The time to cultivate your network is now, not when you need a favor.  Make a list of friends and colleagues you haven't spoken with for a while.  E-mail them or, if your relationship is deeper, invite them for coffee or lunch.  Reconnect with a few people every month until you update your whole list and weed out irrelevant contacts.  Use this opportunity to get reacquainted with contacts and catch up on events in your industry and market. Don't forget to share what you know as well.

    5. Educate yourself

    Increase your "profit value" to your employer by continually updating your knowledge and skills.   Ask your immediate supervisor or HR department about continuing education opportunities.  Some companies offer tuition reimbursements. 

    Another resource is the local chapter of your professional association, which often provides continuing education to members.  Professional associations are also valuable sources of current information on your industry.  If you're not currently a member of an association, research Associations Unlimited, available in your local library.

    Update your résumé

    While this won't really help keep your current job, if all else fails and you find yourself looking for a new job, it's a good idea to rewrite your résumé before you need it.  When you create that new résumé, sell your next employer on how you've been an asset to your current employer.  Give examples of how you've helped to either make money or save money for your previous employers.  Focus on the benefits you can offer your next employer.


    As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers.  Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/

Saturday, July 12, 2008

  • Deforest Your Life

    Ah, stuff. We need it, we want it, we love it. Until we hate it, get bored with it, or wear it out. Sure, some of it winds up in the green bin or goes to Goodwill. But chances are, you're sending a lot of things that have a shot at a second life to spend their final days in a landfill. Here are some of the treasures and trash we toss--and the websites ready to snatch them up.

    CDs, DVDs
    Why: Trashed discs don't decompose, really--ever.
    How: Go to cdrecyclingcenter.com (you pay for shipping); it accepts the disc and all its packaging, including sleeves, jewel cases, DVD cases, and paper.
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    Cell phones, PDAs, and phone accessories
    Why: They can be traded in for cash or overhauled and given to survivors of domestic violence.
    How: For cash, go to greenphone.com; to help out, go to gooddeed­foundation.org (both offer free S&H).
    Perks: offers cash back, helps those in need, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

    Computers
    Why: They're loaded with hazardous chemicals like lead and mercury, and about 133,000 of them are tossed every day.
    How: Go to myboneyard.com to junk computers or monitors.
    Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

    General electronics
    Why: Americans toss 2 million tons of e-gear annually, releasing toxins into the air and water. Trashing electronics can send metals like gold and silver to landfills, necessitating more mining.
    How: Costco members can recycle computers, camcorders, digital cameras, printers, faxes, game systems, monitors, and PDAs for a Costco Cash Card (go to costco.com and click on "electronics"). Office Depot stores take most of the above, plus VCRs, DVD players, TVs, and peripherals, for a fee ($5 to $15, depending on the amount; officedepot.com/techrecycling). Sony provides free drop-off locations for many of its products (sony.com/recycle).
    Perks: offers cash back, KOs toxic chemicals

    iPods
    Why: Most components of MP3 players don't decompose.
    How: If you're not keen on ­pawning your iPod on Craigslist or it has finally died, return it to an Apple store and get 10 percent off your upgrade. Or ship it for free via snail mail (get the address at apple.com/environment/recycling/ipodrecycling).
    Perks: offers cash back, free shipping

    Printer cartridges
    Why: You can get cash for your empties, and recycling one laserjet cartridge saves three quarts of oil.
    How: Go to tonerbuyer.com (free S&H), or go to hp.com to unload HP inkjet or laser-jet cartridges (they don't offer you cash back, but shipping is free).
    Perks: offers cash back, free shipping, KOs toxic chemicals

    Printers, peripherals, software, and computers
    Why: Charities, schools, and public agencies can use them.
    How: Find an organization through cristina.org; they'll typically come and pick up your stuff.
    Perks: free pickup, helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals

    Rechargeable batteries and cell phones
    Why: Toxins from these items can leach into the waste stream.
    How: Toss lithium ions into bins at Target, Best Buy, and other retailers (full list at rbrc.org). The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation also refurbishes and sells phones to benefit charities.
    Perks: helps those in need, KOs toxic chemicals

    Regular batteries
    Why: Americans use 3 billion per year, creating 100,000 tons of waste annually.
    How: Batteryrecycling.com will take them off your hands for a fee (weight x $0.85 + S&H).
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    Business attire
    Why: Low-income women receive interview- and career-worthy ensembles.
    How: Find drop-off locations or mailing addresses at dressforsuccess.org (you pay S&H).
    Perks: helps those in need

    Formalwear and accessories
    Why: Disadvantaged girls in the Chicago area can be Cinderella for prom night.
    How: The Glass Slipper Project takes dresses, shoes, evening bags, jewelry, and unused makeup. Go to glassslipperproject.org (you pay S&H).
    Perks: helps those in need

    Polartec fleece and base layers
    Why: Worn-out threads become brand-new duds.
    How: Patagonia will take your threadbare items. Drop them off at a retail store or mail them (you pay S&H). Get more info at patagonia.com.

    Sneakers
    Why: Your cruddy kicks are converted into athletic and playground surfaces.
    How: Find drop-off stations or a mail-in address at letmeplay.com/reuseashoe (you pay S&H).
    Perks: helps those in need

    Books
    Why: You can help stock libraries and schools worldwide with textbooks, dictionaries, and children's books.
    How: Go to intlbookproject.org for info.
    Perks: helps those in need

    Carpets
    Why: About 3.5 billion pounds of carpeting gets dumped each year, but you can give it a second life as roofing shingles or railroad ties.
    How: Find a local reclamation center at carpetrecovery.org.
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    Home, office, and outdoor furniture, appliances, and supplies
    Why: They get new lives at needy schools and nonprofits.
    How: Go to excessaccess.com ($5 annually).
    Perks: helps those in need

    Lightbulbs
    Why: Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury--one bulb's worth can pollute 6,000 gallons of water.
    How: Order a recycling kit at lightbulbrecycling.com/cf_bulb.html; there's also free CFL drop-off at Ikea.
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    Bicycles
    Why: Support people-powered transportation and provide free wheels to needy kids.
    How: Find participating community donation programs on ibike.org.
    Perks: helps those in need

    Outdoor equipment
    Why: Your used camping gear (boots, bags, tents) goes to youth hiking programs, park rangers in Afghanistan, and female porters in Uganda.
    How: Go to gear4good.com (you pay S&H).
    Perks: helps those in need

    Workout equipment
    Why: Cash for dust collectors.
    How: Try playitagainsports.com.
    Perks: offers cash back

    Toxic leftovers
    Why: Anything with a caution label shouldn't go in a landfill.
    How: Find takers at earth911.org.
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    You
    Why: Traditional burial sinks tons of wood and thousands of gallons of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, into the earth.
    How: Arrange to have your ashes poured inside an environmentally friendly concrete Reef Ball and go under. Fishy kisses for all eternity. (eternalreefs.com)
    Perks: KOs toxic chemicals

    A Bit of Give and Take
    You've got it. They want it. See how this works?

    freecycle.org
    Join communities working toward landfill extinction. Post things you don't need; scroll for stuff you don't have. Membership is free, as is everything on the site.

    swaporamarama.org
    Where old clothes become art. Join up, trade unloved duds, and learn from local artists how to make them hip.

    throwplace.com
    Do good--­without having to do much work. List items you want to "throw" to any U.S. or international charities; interested recipients can contact you about pickup.

    http://health.msn.com/health-topics/greenarticlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100210758&page=2

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Monday, June 16, 2008

  • O.C. scuba diving clubs and diving resources

     

    Orange County with miles and miles of beautiful coastline is home to some wonderful dive sites.  So it's no wonder that divers love Orange County diving.  There numerous dive clubs, dive shops and diving resources available to divers in Orange County, or those interested in visiting to do some diving here.  And don't forget that Santa Catalina Island, with some of the most beautiful diving in the world on a good day, can be accessed from boats leaving out of Orange County harbors.  Here is a list of some of the Orange County dive clubs and diving resources for more information.

    South Orange County Dive Club
    socdc.com

    Laguna Beach Scuba Diving, Orange County Scuba Diving, San Diego, Los Angeles, The Channel Islands and The World. Check out Orange County Surf Conditions and Marine / Weather Forecasts in our Ocean Conditions section. Join the SOCDC for a dive, boat dive trip, raftup or a facinating meeting, all are welcome! Established in 1989 and diving Southern California and the World ever since. Discounts with SCUBA retailers and dive shops in California including Sport Chalet, Laguna Sea Sports and Beach Cities Scuba. Discounts include: Free or low cost air fill cards, 10 percent or more off non-sale items, frequent boat trip discounts at SportTours.

    Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club
    LagunaSeaDwellers.com
    Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club
    P.O. Box 511, Laguna beach, CA 92652-0511

    Numerous new member freebies and discounts. Monthly meetings featuring dive related guest speakers who provide informative, educational and entertaining presentations about topics near and far. Monthly Newsletter, air Cards, ongoing availability of discounted air cards for $30, worth 10 fills at Laguna Sea Sports (fills normally $6 for a $30 savings), Monthly raffles at the dive club meetings, club events, BBQ's, day and night dives, baseball games, other social events. Monthly ixers the 1st Friday of the month at a different location each month. Buddy program, and email notifications of all club events and other dive-related activities.  Website to search for dive buddies and post messages on the message board. Diving excursions, boat trips to Catalina and local islands. Holiday parties, festivities, and photo contests.

    Beach Cities Scuba Center Dive Club
    Affiliated with Beach Cities Scuba Center
    BeachCitiesScuba.com/diveclub.php
    (949) 496-5891 Store Locations in Dana Point, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach

    The Beach Cities Dive Club offers divers who are looking to delve further into the sport a place to find information, activities, and friends to do it with. Meetings occur once a month where you can get info on all the latest diving events, pick-up discounted air fill cards, and make some new dive buddies.

    OCDiving.com, The Orange County Diving Resource
    OCDiving.com

    Informative online resource for issues important to scuba divers in Orange County including diving spots from the Northern Channel Islands down to Baja. Divers submit dive conditions and reports on a regular basis.

    Sea Sabres
    SeaSabres.com
    (909) 709-0959

    The Sea Sabres were started in 1953.  One of the oldest SCUBA diving clubs in the United States.

    Sea Ventures Dive Club
    SeaVenturesDiveClub.com
    Fullerton, CA

    Members receive numerous discounts.  Club sponsors dives, events, dive trips, offers advanced "designated divers" for new divers at club dives, participates in clean-ups, scuba events and shows.  Monthly newsletter.

    California Diving News
    saintbrendan.com
    Box 11231, Torrance, CA 90510
    (310) 792-2333

    Monthly California dive publication, "California Diving News," and annual "SCUBA Show" held in Long Beach.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008