I am not afraid of technology. I am not afraid of people. So why has it taken me so long to get onto LinkedIn and Facebook? I have had accounts for awhile now but never really thought about going there to "keep up" with everyone.
I finally realized that when I am on my laptop, I work. I don't play and carry on casual conversations with folks. I work. I bet my clients will agree that's a good thing!
So what has helped me move into the world of social interaction?
Well, to be honest, the purchase of my new 3G iPhone.
I felt like I won the lottery when I first picked up my new phone. I waited 5 hours in line (I know crazy, right?) at the Apple Store and was ecstatic to find that within 1 minute of having the phone, I already had a completely synced calendar and email program...my contacts were a different story, but it is now clean and in sync as well.
Having this new tool has allowed me to keep my laptop closed so I don't feel like I have to work all the time and this has opened up a world of social contact that I haven't had for some time. I downloaded a free facebook mobile app for my phone and wowie - I have friends!
I have reconnected with friends from High School, my 20 somethings friends,etc and I am keeping in touch in a way that is easy on my time schedule.
I never new it could be so much fun! With the addition of widgets, mobile apps, scripts for websites...we are connected now in a way I could have never dreamed of even 10 years ago.
Talk soon! T :)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
6 Months in...."Tools of the Trade"
Yes, it has been 6 months since I posted anything...and it is 6 months into the year. We launched a new look for our website in February and because of the deadlines of my clients, I have just been able to get it back online now. We have been busy! Not a bad problem to have since I do know that the economy has affected many businesses this year. We are doing a lot of interesting business with clients in all genres of work.
We are continuing to educate ourselves and take on bigger and more complex work, thus my title, "Tools of the Trade."
I am learning about the importance of SEO services and that ever changing world that we call the "world wide web". We are rapidly being pulled into the social networking world of web 2.0 and are excited by the learning process.
I don't know how everyone else keeps up with technology, but I find myself gathering a great group of peers and programs around me that I can work with to solve any items that I might encounter.
I also have been made aware of some great tools that make learning much easier even though there seems to be very little time to actually focus on personal learning. Lynda.com has been great in teaching me quickly and visually. The wealth of knowledge on that site is "mind-bottling" (as Will Ferrell would so eloquently state) and for just $25 a month you can get educated quickly. The other lovely tool that I am ecstatic about is LiveSite by Camelback.net. This is a robust Content Management System that utilizes your existing HTML/CSS sites but gives the designer all the tools to become Web 2.0 proficient.
Since I design on a Mac, I have found a marvelous add on database program that functions with all of the built-in tools that Mac has to offer. Bento has been a God-send for making functional to-do lists that are added automatically from my email program as well as to my calendar. I have the ability to know when I promised a client that a project would be done and who asked first. It is amazing to see how my efficiency has climbed with this simple ability.
Last, but not least, a program every service business needs to have is Cashboard. This is a dynamic online program that allows for us to estimate, manage projects, track time sheets, clients and accounting/invoicing management. Check it out at http://www.getcashboard.com. They have helped me in my pursuit of becoming efficient and more effective with my projects tracking and billing.
It is a blessing to be able to learn "on the job" and look back on all the work that we have done in the past six months. I hope that someone might benefit from this information...I know that I scour the web looking for solutions for my clients and my work flow. Maybe someone will happen across this and find that "answer" to their question as well....
:) Tracy
We are continuing to educate ourselves and take on bigger and more complex work, thus my title, "Tools of the Trade."
I am learning about the importance of SEO services and that ever changing world that we call the "world wide web". We are rapidly being pulled into the social networking world of web 2.0 and are excited by the learning process.
I don't know how everyone else keeps up with technology, but I find myself gathering a great group of peers and programs around me that I can work with to solve any items that I might encounter.
I also have been made aware of some great tools that make learning much easier even though there seems to be very little time to actually focus on personal learning. Lynda.com has been great in teaching me quickly and visually. The wealth of knowledge on that site is "mind-bottling" (as Will Ferrell would so eloquently state) and for just $25 a month you can get educated quickly. The other lovely tool that I am ecstatic about is LiveSite by Camelback.net. This is a robust Content Management System that utilizes your existing HTML/CSS sites but gives the designer all the tools to become Web 2.0 proficient.
Since I design on a Mac, I have found a marvelous add on database program that functions with all of the built-in tools that Mac has to offer. Bento has been a God-send for making functional to-do lists that are added automatically from my email program as well as to my calendar. I have the ability to know when I promised a client that a project would be done and who asked first. It is amazing to see how my efficiency has climbed with this simple ability.
Last, but not least, a program every service business needs to have is Cashboard. This is a dynamic online program that allows for us to estimate, manage projects, track time sheets, clients and accounting/invoicing management. Check it out at http://www.getcashboard.com. They have helped me in my pursuit of becoming efficient and more effective with my projects tracking and billing.
It is a blessing to be able to learn "on the job" and look back on all the work that we have done in the past six months. I hope that someone might benefit from this information...I know that I scour the web looking for solutions for my clients and my work flow. Maybe someone will happen across this and find that "answer" to their question as well....
:) Tracy
Saturday, January 12, 2008
New Year Resolutions
Okay, so I haven't written anything because my clients come first! Business has been very busy!
September through December was a wonderful time for us as a business. We have grown and are getting the opportunity to help people all over the country. I am getting to try new things from a programming perspective which is fun for me as a self-taught web designer.
For example, I have started using this lightbox script that allows for photo galleries to be much more enjoyable to create and, of course, the further use of CSS is allowing for some more beautiful websites to be created as I get more comfortable with it.
I am really excited that I am able to use my gifts in a wide variety of design areas to help make people's businesses better.
I am now involved in a couple of different business groups. One is attached to the Chamber and is Business to Business oriented. We have become the Executive Directors for the Jubilee South Valley CEOs Business Ministry and are growing the group down our direction.
My New Year's resolution this year is to work a more balanced day (from 9-5) and enjoy my family more this year as a result. I found that by December I was soooo tired that I didn't have any juice left to design with or to enjoy family gatherings. So, I have made some alterations to the way I work which I hope will make a difference for all of my clients and my family.
I hope your new year is full of blessings and prosperity. I hope that we can walk down that road with you.
Blessings! Tracy
September through December was a wonderful time for us as a business. We have grown and are getting the opportunity to help people all over the country. I am getting to try new things from a programming perspective which is fun for me as a self-taught web designer.
For example, I have started using this lightbox script that allows for photo galleries to be much more enjoyable to create and, of course, the further use of CSS is allowing for some more beautiful websites to be created as I get more comfortable with it.
I am really excited that I am able to use my gifts in a wide variety of design areas to help make people's businesses better.
I am now involved in a couple of different business groups. One is attached to the Chamber and is Business to Business oriented. We have become the Executive Directors for the Jubilee South Valley CEOs Business Ministry and are growing the group down our direction.
My New Year's resolution this year is to work a more balanced day (from 9-5) and enjoy my family more this year as a result. I found that by December I was soooo tired that I didn't have any juice left to design with or to enjoy family gatherings. So, I have made some alterations to the way I work which I hope will make a difference for all of my clients and my family.
I hope your new year is full of blessings and prosperity. I hope that we can walk down that road with you.
Blessings! Tracy
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