Broward Directory Blog

You can find out if any restaurant has any inspection violations online!

Florida Restaurant Inspections

It seems like they all do!

Just enter the name of the restaurant and the city – the system will locate the restaurant.

It’s a recorded message for a company selling insurance.

I know I registered with the Do Not Call list for all my phones including my cell phone, but I still get calls. Most of the time it is from  Charities or a Survey company. However, lately, I am getting more calls from politicians asking for donations.

It seems that this phone number is showing up as a disturbance. I hate getting automated calls.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-954-819-2256

If you know who this company is you can post the information and or send it off to the complaint department at:

If you are on the do not call list – you can register a complaint:
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

By Ashley M. Heher, Associated Press

CHICAGO — Starbucks will begin offering unlimited free Wi-Fi at all of its 6,700 company-operated U.S. locations next month, part of an ongoing effort to bring more customers in the door.

Read more…

“Trust is the essence of leadership”.  – Colin Powell

To be a leader (successful or otherwise), you must have followers.  Without the trust and confidence of your team you won’t succeed.  If you are perceived as untrustworthy your peers, subordinates and co-workers will work around you.

So, given how important the trust factor is, what actions have you taken to become a stronger leader by building trust?

Patrick Lencioni identifies these key points:

• Trust is the foundation of teamwork.
• On a team, trust is all about vulnerability, which is difficult for most people.
• Building trust takes time, but the process can be greatly accelerated.
• Like a good marriage, trust on a team is never complete; it must be maintained over time.

He also says trust is rare since the word itself is used inconsistently and that it means different things to different people.

When trust exists, communication is open, conflicts can be addressed in a healthy manner, and collaboration is enhanced because of sharing resources and jointly solving problems.  In other words, it becomes easier (and more fun!) to work together.

Trust is not limited to how we view other people; it is also about trusting oneself and our choices.

When we trust someone we do not worry about restricting the flow of information to them.  We will reveal our true selves; even aspects that may be unflattering.  We will also contribute ideas, interests or prospects.

Ways to build trust:

• Act with integrity; walk the talk.
• Protect the interest of people who are not present.
• Listen.
• Be sensitive and respectful.
• Take the leap; someone has to go first.
• Make realistic commitments and keep them; don’t over-commit and under-deliver.
• Judge substance, not image.
• Keep others informed of status’ and future plans; offer status reports and forecasts.

Lencioni says: “The key ingredient to building trust is not time.  It is courage”.  How courageous (and vulnerable) are you willing to be?

“Leadership without mutual trust is a contradiction in terms”.  – Warren Bennis

“Without trust, words become the hollow sound of a wooden gong. With trust, words become life itself.”  – John Harold

“Trust is what drives profit margin and share price. It is what consumers are looking for and what they share with one another”.  – Larry Light

Sincerely,

Michael W. Kublin – mkublin@peopletekcoaching.com

Jan Mayer-Rodriguez – jan@peopletekcoaching.com

PeopleTek® was founded on the belief that within all of us are the traits and characteristics required of successful leaders creating successful organizations.

Our unique individual and team programs, called Journeys™, inspire leaders of all levels to be confident and attain greater results personally and professionally.

For more information about PeopleTek visit our website  www.peopletekcoaching.com

If you like to create your own artwork on canvas – a company called Your Photo on Canvas has teamed up with Costco to offer a terrific deal to print your photos on canvas.

From USAToday
By Jefferson Graham:

Cell phone use soars, forcing pollsters to change methods
Consumers who opt not to have land line may get political polling calls on cell
By Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel
March 31, 2010

Cell phone users beware: There’s a growing chance you’ll be enraged as the 2010 political season heats up. More and more pollsters are starting to call cell phone numbers, asking questions about issues, political candidates and whom you’re planning to vote for — their questions, your minutes.

Read more…

March 25, 2010

“To listen well, is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation”.    -   Chinese Proverb

“Knowing what others have said and meant to say and leaving people comfortable that they have had their say” is how Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger define listening in their book “For Your Improvement”.

It does not necessarily mean you agree with what was said, but rather that you used the basic listening skills which are:

• You didn’t interrupt
• You are able to paraphrase
• You listened for underlying meaning
• You are accepting of differing views

Yet, how often have you had a discussion, meeting, phone call, etc when the basic skills appeared to have been used by others but you felt you weren’t really “heard”?

Or worse, that others were assuming you were actively listening and when the conversation ended you were unclear as to the message, weren’t really sure what was committed to, or maybe that you had completed your shopping list instead of being truly engaged?

You may be surprised to learn that the most common listening problem is that:

We listen intently to some, neutrally to others, and not at all to a few.

Give it a minute to let it sink in.  Can you identify individuals that you seem to always be fully engaged with and others that you have the inclination to “tune out”?  You’re not alone!

You know HOW to listen, but you turn it on and off.  Here are some tips to help you maintain your focus:

• Keep your mouth closed (It’s felt that if your mouth is open your ears will close)
• Keep eye contact (this helps with attention levels)
• Take notes (this will help with paraphrasing)
• Don’t frown and fidget
• Let the person know if you have accepted or rejected what they have said and the rationale why

Additional tips include:

• Don’t suggest words or finish sentences when a pause occurs
• Listen, don’t solve or judge
• Ask probing questions to obtain clarity
• Be aware of when “selective” listening is likely to occur    ex.Age, skill, gender, relative, etc
• If time is an issue let the person know and schedule more time, or ask “let’s summarize what we’ve decided”
• Let the person know if more facts are required prior to decision making or for further discussions
• Be aware of your “non” listening behaviors ex. pencil tapping, raised eyebrows, blank stares, “zoning” out

Communication is one of the most important skills to be successful personally and professionally and by following these tips, misunderstandings will be minimized.

What can you do to be a more effective communicator?

Sincerely,
Michael W. Kublin
Jan Mayer-Rodriguez

__________________________________________________________
“You can observe a lot by just watching”. – Yogi Berra
__________________________________________________________

For more information about PeopleTek visit our website
http://www.peopletek-coaching.com

Or contact:

Mike Kublin
email:  mkublin@peopletekcoaching.com
phone:  1.888.565.9555 x711

or

Jan Mayer-Rodriguez
email:  jan@peopletekcoaching.com
phone:  1.888.565.9555 x712

Optimize your leadership strengths – Recognize your talent for leadership.

Leverage your strength and talents to obtain your desired results – every time.
All PeopleTek programs are satisfaction guaranteed!

Announcing PeopleTek’s MARCH and APRIL programs:

Leadership Journey I

• Kicks off March 24th
• 10:30am – noon EDT
• Conference call facilitated – attend from any location!
• The Journey consists of 12 sessions which are held every other week.
• The Journey helps you understand how to utilize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses to become a stronger leader.
• Increases individual and team accountability to grow business results
• Enables you to better handle difficult situations and conflict
• Provides new listening and communication skills
• Improves teamwork and enhances business relationships
• Earns project managers recertification credit hours upon graduation

……….. And our new WEBINARS: ($99 each!) …………

Master Your Stress – Boost Your Success Webinar

March 17, 11:30am – 1:00pm EST
From individual contributor to senior leaders we are all faced with stress.  Job related stress, as well personal stress, can seep into the workplace and negatively impact your results and relationships.  Join us on this webinar and learn to master stress and boost your success.

Mastering Difficult Conversations Webinar

April 22nd, 11:30am – 1:00pm EST

Whether you are a team member, team leader, manager or senior leader you are faced with conducting difficult conversations, such as performance reviews, feedback, or addressing conflict.  Effectively managing those interactions is a necessity for organizations and individuals to succeed.  Join this webinar to learn how to prepare for those difficult conversations to maximize results and on-time deliverables.

• Attend from any location!
• Use the webinars as a team building event and satisfy development goals.
• All PeopleTek programs earn you project management re-certification credits.

******************************************************************
Help your organization  increase and leverage their leadership abilities!

ENROLL TODAY!

For additional details contact:
Pat Pinera
Executive Coach & Vice President
ppinera@peopletekcoaching.com
888-565-9555 Ext.718
Direct: 954.916.4190
Cell: 954.520.0924

FPL customers to receive refund from 2008 outage
Consumer advocates and utility dispute the amount
By Julie Patel, Sun Sentinel
January 26, 2010

Florida Power & Light Co. customers will receive a refund for costs related to a blackout that left millions of people without power in 2008.

That much is clear. But when and how much is up for debate.

• The company has proposed giving back $2 million.
• Consumer advocates say it should be closer to $15 million.

Read more…

Why have a Briggs & Stratton Home Generator System from BSA Enterprises:

• Peace of Mind
• Convenience
• Reliable Performance
• Backup Power when you need it – automatically
• Unobtrusive Design
• Continuous Low-Cost Fuel Supply

More Reasons:

• Installed by a state Licensed Electrical Contractor
• Practical, Innovative Features
• Reliable Performance
• New High Efficiency Backup Power
• Continuous Fuel supply – LP vapor – Natural Gas
• No need to store & pour gasoline
• Compact and Ultra Quiet
• Financing available

Performs the job of larger generators at less than half the cost with one third the fuel consumption!

Florida State Licensed Electrical Contractor – FL License# EC13001261
State Licensed LP Gas Installer – LP GAS LIC # LP25130

BSA Power Solutions
6830 NW 20th Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Phone:  (954) 424-0998

http://www.bsapowersolutions.com