Member You - Internet and Businesses Online

Competency Frameworks; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Effective use of competency frameworks provides employees with a clearly-defined set of personal development objectives and managers with a consistent measurement tool that could be used across geographical, cultural and work boundaries.The concept is simple. To complete any task, people need to have the behaviour, skills and knowledge to undertake the task. Defining the behaviour, skills and knowledge (competence) to undertake a set of tasks (a job) and measuring the competence of people allows managers and employees to understand the gap between desired and demonstrated competence and develop a plan to close the gap.Many organisations however fail in their attempts to build a framework to proactively manage competencies.The major reason for failure is that competence frameworks are developed and implemented with no clear business purpose in mind. Without a bus

product or the current promotion that is directed to that specific audience. Different terms and words produce a different response depending on the market. Be sure to include a call to action such as: Download now... Contact Us today about... Get your free... - you get the idea - sans hype. Don't use multiple exclamation marks or question marks.

The beauty of your sig file is that you do not have to say anything about your own site in the body of a posting ... unless it would be relevant or appropriate and it is the proper forum. Sigs are a great way to subtlety market to those you do not know. Keep in mind however, that the last thing you want to do is post gratuitously or send an e-mail with a one word answer just for the sake of getting your signature file in front of readers. That is one of the oldest tricks in the book and the other members will know what you are up to and may complain directly to you and/or the moderator. Credibility lost.

5 Tips for Naming Measures
What's in a name? Well for performance measures, there's a lot in how they are named. Different organisations, in their performance measure experiences, have helped me see that what we call each of our performance measures can have a big impact on how useful those measures are. Here are five of the tips I'd recommend you consider when you want to formalise a particular measure in your organisation (you don't have to use them all, though):* unique name* accompany with a description* motivating language* adopting industry standards* 5 words or less* leave the target outTip #1: give each measure a unique and specific nameA transport company I have worked with measures hundreds of things. One of them is the number of orders for deliveries. A pretty straightforward measure, you might think. Except that depending on who reports it, i

Signature files have been around since, well, before most current Netizens were even aware that e-mail existed. Most will use their signature file as a quick identifier of who they are and what they do and provide a link to their Web site while those online for personal use will serve up witty, clever and many times interesting quotes.

If online for commercial gain, the most important reason to use a signature file is that your signature file allows you to promote your Web site indirectly, by simply going about your daily online business. Whether you are posting on message boards, e-mailing other site owners or participating in mailing lists, your signature file gets your basic information and a link to your Web site in front of everyone you e-mail or those who may just read your post on a message board. Signature files are the ultimate in online passive promotion when used properly and effectively.

Let's first cover the DON'Ts:

DON'T have everything about you including the kitchen sink in your sig file. If you have a Web site, include a pointer to your URL to ensure the recipient can find out whatever they like about you - that is really what your sig file is for. Keep it to 4-6 lines max. To have your pager, cell, home, business, work, accreditations, associations and slogan about how great you are will lead to the perception that you are tad bit overbearing.

DON'T throw in any sales pitchy type hype. Credibility online is very difficult to attain and maintain without undermining your efforts. Refraining from overzealous sales hype that ends in multiple exclamation marks lends to you being perceived as a seasoned professional. A short and sweet comment about your product or service is sufficient. Let your Web site do the selling for you!

DON'T include formatting in your sig file (or your business e-mails). This includes ASCII formatting, colors or attaching any animated graphics. If I had a dollar for every formatted sig or e-mail that then messed with my reply by formatting it as well or worse yet by looking like doo-doo because I read all my e-mail in plain text - I could retire. If you wouldn't turn your name or title bright red on your company letterhead - don't do it in e-mail.

DON'T close with your signature file reflecting anything but proper punctuation. Capitalize your name formally: John A. Smith, John Smith or John. Not typing your name formally with appropriate capitalization reflects a lack of education and busy savvy.

DON'T start using your sig file until you have verified, reviewed and double-checked that all the information is correct. Send yourself a couple e-mails and test your Web site link. I see signature files with errors every day! Sigs with errors can give the impression that you lack attention to detail.

Now to the Do's:

DO make sure that your signature file contains the basic info a recipient needs to contact you. No need to include your e-mail address - that is automatically noted at the top of every e-mail you send. The only instance where you would want to include your primary e-mail address in your signature file is if you are using a different or secondary e-mail address to send the e-mail in question.

DO setup your e-mail program to automatically append your signature file and make sure to include your sign-off so that you do not have to type your name with every e-mail. So, for example you can have:

Thank you,
John A. Smith Widgets Sprockets

Web Site Address Here Slogan
Additional Information Here

Special Tip: You want to align your sig's text with spaces rather than tabbing. Tabs and text are displayed differently on different machines, which can make your layout look yucky. Also keep in mind that you want to keep your sig file to 70 characters or less, as that is the set screen default width for most e-mail programs.

DO make sure that when you include your Web site address that you add the "http://" before your site's URL. In some e-mail programs and online applications without the http:// the program will not recognize the address as a link and it may not be clickable within your e-mail. One of the neato things about sig files is they allow you to have every e-mail be only one click away from your Web site. Don't miss this opportunity by forgetting the http:// .

DO have several signatures that you can switch dependent on tone or issue at hand. Sig files are an excellent way of setting a tone and directing the ongoing communication’s priority or level of formality. Sincerely, Best, Regards, Respectfully can be used differently depending on whom you are communicating with and the tone you would like to set. You can also set up signatures that have your formal name and a less informal version to set a comfort zone with the other party such as Judith versus Judi. Keep in mind to not be overly informal too soon with new contacts. Formalities are in place for a reason - especially in business communications.

DO have signature files that relay a different message based on where and to whom you are e-mailing. If you are marketing on message boards or newsgroups, use a signature file that reflects your new product or the current promotion that is directed to that specific audience. Different terms and words produce a different response depending on the market. Be sure to include a call to action such as: Download now... Contact Us today about... Get your free... - you get the idea - sans hype. Don't use multiple exclamation marks or question marks.

Making More Money with Affiliate Feeds
I love my RSS reader. I have a gazillion website, blog and news feeds set up in there, and I get the latest information from all of my favorite sites. That means I can be one of the first to share it with you. And RSS Reader 1.0 has a doorbell sound effect that rings when there are new feed entries to read. So wherever I am in the house I hear it and take a look. I also get the additional bonus of six barking dogs to announce the new feed entries.As an aside, I noticed something very interesting. Because of my RSS reader I was one of the first to cover adsenseblacklist.com, a terrific new web site that will help you screen out the cheesy AdSense ads. Because I was on it first, I popped up in the first five Google search results for this keyword for a while, which drove traffic to this site. So watch your RSS reader.All that being said, we are beginning to see RSS used

ogan about how great you are will lead to the perception that you are tad bit overbearing.

Now to the Do's:

Thank you,
John A. Smith Widgets Sprockets

Web Site Address Here Slogan
Additional Information Here

12 Ways To Promote Your Affiliate Program
Hundreds of people sign up for affiliate programs everyday because they look at this partnership as an easy way of having their own business. Although you don’t have to worry about the many factors that come from owning other types of businesses, one factor that is important with an affiliate business is marketing and promotion. If you want to make a good living from this type of arrangement, this is a vital step.There are some people that may think just by having affiliate links on their website will bring them in a good revenue. This can have some truth to it, providing you were receiving a large amount of hits per month on your website. Most successful affiliates, even those who are getting large amounts of traffic each month, still believe in utilizing strong marketing campaigns for their affiliate programs.To build consistent revenue, you can promote your affiliat

information is correct. Send yourself a couple e-mails and test your Web site link. I see signature files with errors every day! Sigs with errors can give the impression that you lack attention to detail.

Now to the Do's:

Thank you,
John A. Smith Widgets Sprockets

Web Site Address Here Slogan
Additional Information Here

Are You Wasting Your Money on Diversity Training?
If you are planning to spend money on diversity training, WAIT!You may be wasting your money if you haven’t done any foundation building. If diversity and inclusion are not first integrated into your business strategy, very little will change just by holding one or two day training classes. Organizations in all sectors make this mistake and don’t realize it until it is too late.If you want to leverage the diversity you already have, increase the diversity of your organization, or prevent cultural misunderstandings you need to create a corporate culture that is inclusive at all levels, and in every system and process.You can get everyone trained by a great trainer, with a great program, but when people leave your organization they take what they learned with them (if they still remember it) and your organization remains the same. Further, reaching resisters and n

e sure that when you include your Web site address that you add the "http://" before your site's URL. In some e-mail programs and online applications without the http:// the program will not recognize the address as a link and it may not be clickable within your e-mail. One of the neato things about sig files is they allow you to have every e-mail be only one click away from your Web site. Don't miss this opportunity by forgetting the http:// .

In the Name of Honor!
A badge means a patch or an accoutrement presented recognizing a feat or an accomplishment, or a simple identification. Military badges symbolize qualifications received through military training. Scouting organizations use badges to show group membership and rank. Much known among badges, the star-shaped badge of a U.S. sheriff made famous in Westerns.A wearable medal means a medal awarded by a government for services to a country. This applies to a medal of coin-like appearance, but the word also refers to an Order or decoration. A table medal means a medal awarded by an organization for services in a specific field for example the Nobel Prize or the Carnagie Hero Medal. A medal also means a medal awarded to winners and runners-up of sporting competitions.A medal can indicate either an Order, Decoration, or Medal. The most elaborate forms of medals are orders, awarde

DO keep in mind that your signature file will naturally add to the perception of who you are, what you believe in, if you follow the rules and if you know how to use technology - or not. Quotes are fine and sometimes apropos depending on the conversation’s tone and topic; however, keep in mind who will be reading the e-mail and the perception your opinion via the quote you include will leave. Humorous quotes are best left to personal e-mail. You also want to make sure to have all your e-mail basics covered by visiting: http://www.GetNetiquette.com.

So, there you have it. The basics you need to know to use signature files properly. Use these tips to build your own personal library of signature files. I have over 75! Always update and work on your signature files - there is always something new to say about yourself or your business!

HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.memberyou.net/article/63096/memberyou-Signature-File-Dos-and-Donts.html">Signature File Dos and Don'ts</a>

BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.memberyou.net/article/63096/memberyou-Signature-File-Dos-and-Donts.html]Signature File Dos and Don'ts[/url]

If we continue to do what we've always been doing, we will continue to get what we've always been getting. To get somewhere else, we need to grow into someone else.

There’s a tremendous amount of pressure as we grow older to learn to act our age (whatever that means). In fact, most people consider age a number not an indication of vitality, health or maturity. Nevertheless, too many of us leave the things of childhood behind us. This is both good and bad. It is good to leave childish behavior behind, but bad when we discard many childlike behaviors that can make us successful adults. One such childlike behavior is learning how to develop reliable relationships with others through experiences in the same sandbox that teach us how to cooperate, exchange ideas, and communicate. This article gives a seven-step process for building successful work relationships.

There is a tremendous opportunity to tap into the 25 million products offered on eBay and make money by helping folks find what they are looking for. Now, a brand new tool called Build-A-Niche store makes it easy for just about anyone to take advantage of this opportunity.

Tags

Links

Member You - Signature File Dos and Don'ts

Related Articles: