SparkTaC Blog - Aviva Shiff

Etiquette and Teen Texting

aviva@sparktac.com — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:11:00 GMT

There seems to be some confusion about our role as parents and educators regarding our children's use of technology. In other words how do we teach technology etiquette to Gen Y-ers who are characterized as "knowing it all" especially when it comes to technology. After all, they aren't called the Net Generation for nothing! Discover the benefits and pitfalls of teen texting and 3 easy rules we can teach our teens to use technology responsibly and respectfully.

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Let's Get Educated - Old School

aviva@sparktac.com — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:59:00 GMT

One of the projects I decided to tackle in the New Year was to go through all my old papers and documents and purge. You know what I'm talking about....all the pieces of paper or electronic files that we thought at the time would be "keepers". Now, years later as I sifted through the mountain of "keepers" I wondered what I was thinking. That was, until I came across this gem that I wish to share. It's as valid now as it was when it was written by Isocrates sometime between 403 and 393 BC.

EDUCATION

Whom, then, do I call educated, since I exclude the arts and sciences and specialties?

First, those who manage well the circmstances which they encounter day by day, and who possess a judgment which is accurate in meeting occasions as they arise and rarely miss the expedient course of action;

Next, those who are decent and honorable in their intercourse with all with whom they associate, tolerating easily and good-naturedly what is unpleasant or offensive in others and being themselves as agreeable and reasonable to their associates as it is possible to be;

Furthermore, those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not unduly overcome by their misfortunes, bearing up under them bravely and in a manner worthy of our comon nature;

Finally, and most important of all, those who are not spoiled by successes and do not desert their true selves and become arrogant, but hold their ground steadfastly as intelligent men, not rejoicing in the good things which have come to them through chance rather than in those which through theri own nature and intelligence are theirs from their birth. Those who have a character which is in accord, not with one of these things, but with all of them -- these I contend are wise and complete men, possessed of all the virtues.

Let us all strive towards EDUCATION for 2010 and beyond.

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Leadership in Difficult Times - Lessons learned from President Obama By Aviva Shiff

aviva@sparktac.com — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:14:00 GMT

There’s no doubt that businesses today are facing difficult times. Those in leadership positions may be experiencing the additional burden of finding the support or direction needed to keep their teams motivated and productive when confronted with a bleak economic outlook, layoffs of their colleagues and friends, greater competition and slashed budgets.

Where better to look for advice than the newest leader of the largest employer in the United States, the U.S. Government. Let’s have a look at some excerpts from President Obama’s inaugural address and see how we can apply these lessons to corporate leadership.

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Top 20 List of Effective Cubicle Behaviors

aviva@sparktac.com — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:32:00 GMT

Open environments and cubicles are here to stay. Ensure that your business relationships enjoy that same longevity by employing this Top 20 List of Effective Cubicle Behaviors which will open doors to a more productive and enjoyable workplace.

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Ranting and Raging in the Workplace

aviva@sparktac.com — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:36:41 GMT

According to a recent article in Canada’s Globe and Mail, “verbal outbursts, furtive acts of cubicle sabotage and spontaneous destruction of furniture abound in the modern workplace. The office rage has even extended into cyberspace, spawning online forums where workers detail their gripes with the gum-snapping in the next pod”. The article also mentions a new reality TV show that chronicles office workers training for and engaging in physical fighting to settle their differences.

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