Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Journal.
Scriptwriting Conventions
As a recap, last time we looked at an overview of scriptwriting, and started to look at the basic elements of the script. We stated that a script is quite different from any other form of writing and it's a tool that only lays out the bare bones of a production.
By david layzelle6 years ago in Journal
How to Open a Successful Business
The decision of opening up your own business is a very important one. It requires immediate action if you want to better your chances of being successful. Even if you do have a solid business plan and are doing your best, your first business could still possibly fail. That is because failure in the business world has a different meaning than the one we’re usually taught in school. In business, failure means learning, and learning means eventual success. Therefore, it is extremely important that you try your best to be well prepared about all the things you need to know before you open your first business.
By Robert Cordray6 years ago in Journal
Write What You Feel...
"Write what you know" is an oft-touted bit of advice writers cling to like socks on the back of a sweater fresh out of the dryer. What many writers both new and experienced don't realize is that writing what you know isn't enough. You also have to write what you feel.
By Megan Hart6 years ago in Journal
New Jersey DEP and Me
Have you ever had to deal with the Department of Environmental Protection, aka the DEP, in your state? If you have, you can probably relate to this blog. If not, well you're in for a treat. As I mentioned in my “To be or not to be an Executor or Administrator of an Estate" blog, I have a building or warehouse that, at this point, is all mine.
By Greg Tresch6 years ago in Journal
How to Lead When You’re Not the Leader
You’re young, you have just been hired into a company with established and reputable employees that have long track-records of success (or long track-records of key relationships that have helped keep them in the positions they are in). Or, maybe you’re in the midst of a career transition. You have been in the workforce for about 10 years now and are transitioning to a new phase, new industry, and new company. You may be an entry-level employee, or simply in a role where you are not overseeing a group of people. This can be an extremely difficult position to be in, especially if you have any iota of ambition, vision, and drive. You have ideas, you have fresh energy to breathe some “new life into the company.” How do you go about making organizational adjustments, policy and procedure suggestions without sounding entitled and overstepping your metaphorical reach? It’s a tough place to waver while you’re trying to establish credibility yourself. The first place to start is by recognizing your ambition and drive are not liabilities to your company, but assets. However, there is a way to position yourself as the guide to your company and staffs growth while not playing the hero. That’s the important thing to note. As soon as you position yourself as a hero swooping in saving the damsel in distress, you will immediately turn off your supervisors and will label yourself as an entitled, discontent, know-it-all. Definitely not the label you want. So what can you do? How do you lead when you’re not the leader?
By J. Alekzander6 years ago in Journal
Opportunity of Opposition
Confrontation. Tough talks. Crucial conversations (Grenny, Switzler, McMillan). The idea of having a tough conversation in any interpersonal context is enough to send someone in a stress sweat. But why? Well, as humans we resist what we don’t know. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, if your brain is doing that for you then kudos, your brain is doing a great job at keeping you alive. The point is, the idea of having these tough conversations can be so stressful because we feel ill-equipped to handle them well. Now, of course, even the most gifted of communicators can go into a tough meeting and speak with all the tips and tricks they have gathered, and the person receiving the message can still respond out of anger. The real kicker is that people are unpredictable. We do not know how someone will react to bad news, criticism and the like. But what if you could be given some tools to help prepare you for these conversations? What about conversations that didn’t start out heated, but you blinked and realized you have a coworker/employee that is furious and so are you? No worries, with the help of our author friends Joseph Grenny, Al Switzler and Ron McMillan (authors of Crucial Conversations), we can provide some tips and tricks for you to best navigate these situations.
By J. Alekzander6 years ago in Journal
Sometimes... Coffee
Employee engagement, employee happiness, employee BREAKS!? In a movie, that’s where the record player would scratch to indicate something terrible just happened. BREAKS!? “Workers aren’t hired to take breaks; they’re hired to WORK!” That’s one person’s opinion. I think this sentence should be said like this, “PEOPLE are invited in roles to increase production.” Research shows, paradoxically, that taking breaks can supplement and increase productivity. I’m a fortunate man, for many reasons, but incredibly fortunate to work for a company that provides some autonomy, empowers me to make decisions and allows me to empower those I work with. In our growing company, our Marketing Department is comprised of two people; myself and a wonderful person named Amber. Our roles have been set up to support our “happy place” in the context of workflows. I’m empowered to think big, vision-cast, and oversee big projects. Amber comes alongside me and makes sure that while I’m being a dreamer and visionary, the small details don’t get missed. Even though we are in our happy places, there are of course things we have to do that we don’t love. Amber is an incredibly efficient worker-bee, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get tired, frustrated with a process, or straight up burnt out on a project. I saw this. Not just in her, but also myself. What’s the solution? I established a weekly 1-1 over coffee. We think bigger, we bond, and we get things done. Period. As a result of these meetings, we have been become more productive and more connected in thought and communication. What’s the takeaway? Sometimes… Coffee. Just take a break. For you analytical, black & white people, here are a few pointers for you to consider:
By J. Alekzander6 years ago in Journal
Jobs that Don't Require a Degree Are Abundant
College is not for everyone. A lot of people learn that early. Those that learn it early enough will go on and start looking for jobs outside of the scope of college degree requirements. They just have to give some practical thought to what they want to do in order to find a good match for their skills.
By Paisley Hansen6 years ago in Journal
