Author: Robert Bacal
Writing Tip: Words Are The Paintbrush
Think of your words as a paintbrush for the senses. EVOKE. Most amateur writers get lost in abstractions, abstract concepts, vagueness. Don’t say love. Tell me what love looks like. Paint it like DaVinci. Tell me what love smells like….
Writing Lesson: Glib, Cute, Idiot
It’s easy to mistake facility with language with poetic ability. Don’t. Wordplay, cuteness, glibness — all to show how damned clever you are just shows how lacking in substance your writing is. Cuteness, glibness cannot replace real insight, real ability…
What Every Parent, Teacher and Trainer Needs to Know About Teaching and Learning: Passive vs. active learning in lectures and presentations: The myth of “activity” — We do learn without observable action
Many trainers will talk about lectures and presentations as examples of passive learning, and spit on the floor to show their disdain for them. That’s more a reflection of the lack of understanding of modern learning theory than anything else….
Why And How Search Engines Are Failing You
You may finally be noticing that you simply cannot find what you need using Google and the other search engines. In fact, it’s fair to say that Google search results have slowly been declining in quality and usefulness over the…
Support Your Support Staff So They Can Support You
They usually do the most repetitive job tasks. They answer the phones, keep things organized, keep track of finances, make sure you have what you need when you need it, and are often the first contact a customer or member…
What Sets Social Media Winners From Social Media Losers?
Perhaps it’s because I’m slowly reading “You Are Not A Gadget” By Jaron Lanier, but I’m getting more interested in the changes that society may undergo as a result of social media, and in turn, I’m interested in what is…
Q&A: Ground Rules For Teams And Groups — Should We Have Some?
The following question is about a workplace, but the things that make teams function well apply to ANY kind of group or team, whether it’s a sports team, non-profit action group, or in the home (yes, your family is a…
Dealing With The Human Road Runner Employee
In a previous article we discussed the plight of Mary Duncan, Director of the Income Security Branch, who had to contend with John, the human speed bump. John’s tended to shoot holes in new ideas, procrastinate, and generally hold to…
Be Credible. Be Trusted. Persuade. Lead: Ten tips. Learn the gentle art of persuasion and leadership. Lead so people follow.
It doesn’t matter who you are speaking to. Whether to a group of a thousand, a radio or television audience, or one person in the privacy of your office, much depends on your ability to come across in a credible…
Disposable Communication On The Internet: Do people read what you write?
Disposable Communication On The Internet: What You Need To Know About Disposable Communication On Social Media These days, social media – large platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, message boards, and texting have become the norm to communicate. Few people realize however…
Communicating About Social Media – Does Such A Broad Definition of Social Media Cause Problems?
Yes. In fact it’s a huge unrecognized problem because of the way social media is discussed both within social media platforms, and by standard media such as television, or print publications. Here’s why. If you take a look at the…
