Usability goes beyond making Web sites easier to use. It’s also about making appliances, day-to-day activities and other things easy to use. When I use my blender, I can’t figure out why there are labels for puree, chop, frappe, crush, and so on. It’s a blender! The blades just spin around and around. The blender … Read more
The iPod has that certain something that leads its users to adore it like nothing before. People want nothing but an iPod. No substitutes even when the non-iPod has more memory comes in your favorite color and costs over $100 less than an iPod. So how did the iPod earn this special treatment and the … Read more
The book guides the reader through the three-part process to prepare, deliver and follow through in getting to a positive No. No doesn’t come easy especially when trying to please a client who asks to move up the delivery date. You’re afraid to say No because it means losing future business, respect and perhaps, your … Read more
I love the Metaphor Minute newsletter from Anne Miller, author of Metaphorically Selling. Each issue comes with a short example of how to use metaphors in business and presentations. The latest issue shows how someone finally got her point across using fishing as the metaphor: Corporate executives who cling to the old “dialing for dollars … Read more
Lifehack had me thinking about handling criticism. As a one-person business with no manager to meet with me to discuss performance goals and progress, I must rely on my clients for feedback. They’re essentially my managers. On occasion, I e-mail a client requesting feedback. I explain that I want to serve him or her better … Read more
I’m a one person business who has been blogging since June 1, 2000. At first, it was on a personal basis since blogging hadn’t found a way into business yet and I had just started freelancing on the side. The blog slowly evolved into a business-focused one. Though there are thousands of blogs out there … Read more
Lifehack provides 101 on-target tips for becoming a better blogger. 101 feels like a lot, but try to do a couple things a day. Don’t think about doing all 101, but motivate yourself to do something as simple as “Do one thing every day to improve my blogging skills.” I’ve been blogging for seven years. … Read more
Jonathan and Lisa Price have a nice article on writing FAQ and covered many points that we may not think about. For instance, if you have a large site — you might want to show the FAQ or Help that’s relevant to the page users are on rather than give them the whole thing to … Read more
I spent a few hours at the hospital the other day and discovered the hospital’s network blocked every messaging application — Web-based and stand-alone application. I understand they don’t want their staff — especially medical staff that must respond quickly — chatting away. But what about those of us trying to communicate with friends and … Read more
We’ve discussed apostrophes many times here, and we’re not going to stop anytime soon as long as the abuse continues. WikiHow’s How to Use Apostrophes mentions the frequent use of “photo’s” and it’s true. I know a few PTA parents who add an apostrophe in photos. I don’t understand why. It’s not as if it … Read more