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I just had to throw each of my girl’s a birthday party. I refused to give in to society norms. I decided I was not going to rent space at a kids facility which caters to birthday parties (such as My Gym, Gymboree, LazerTag, Muvico movie theaters, the zoo, pottery making & painting boutiques). No, instead I thought to myself, “I have a beautiful backyard … let’s do “kid’s stuff” that will be a blast and won’t break the bank.

Idea #1: Obstacle Course: Divide children in teams. NEVER let the birthday girl pick the teams (this will avoid resentment and a feeling of being left off the best team). Pre-buy 2 colors of different bandana’s. Pre-type colors and throw into hat. Have kids pick the color of their designated team. Set up cones of different sizes, jump ropes, wooden eggs on spoons, thick dowels taped to different cones (I bought mine on-line) to jump over and climb under, trampoline, hoola hoops arranged on grass to jump with both feet in a zigzagged motion, bubbles to blow. Each kid must complete ALL of the obstacle course before running and tagging the kid in line that’s next

Idea #2: Bubble gum and Whipped Cream Contest: Set up a card table covered with a plastic cloth. Put a piece of Hubba bubble gum in the middle of a paper plate. Take canned whipped cream and cover the gum. Team against team, two (2) at a time. Each kid must keep their hands behind their back. Ready Set Go! Whoever can grab the gum with their mouth, chew and blow a 1-inch minimum bubble first wins. That team gets the point.

Idea #3: Capture the flag football. Buy a flag football set (I only paid $39.00 at Oriental Trading the Capture the flag belts and flags. Divide among teams, set up cones, and yell, “GO”. Whoever gets to the other side without getting their belt ripped off and captures the flag and runs back to the other side (all while staying out of jail) … that team gets the point.

Idea #4: Italian Cook-Off: Yes, your kitchen becomes a bit of a war-zone, but it’s worth it. Kids prepare an entire Italian feast (lasagna with a Béchamel sauce; homemade gnocchi, ravioli, stuffed manicotti). Again, don’t let the kids pick teams. Pre-type all the recipes and place into a hat. If you think the lasagna will take 2 kids and the manicotti 3 kids, place the correct number of the recipe names in the hat and let the kids draw. Afterwards, everyone eats the dinner they made.

Idea #5: Forget stupid party-favors in a bag (usually full of candy and crap kid’s don’t need). Pre-type the entire recipe booklet from the Italian Cook-off, bind it with pretty ribbons and bows, and upon them leaving … hand them the recipe booklet with the cover displaying your child’s name, Cook-off, birthday date and a thank you note for coming.

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When girls reach middle school age … planning the perfect birthday party without fighting, pettiness or cat-fights becomes challenging.

My daughter and I developed the “Perfect Birthday Party”, complete with a NO FIGHTING NO BICKERING guarantee.

Rule #1: Type out a DETAILED schedule in advance, and make sure your daughter has complete input and “buy-in”.

Rule #2: Keep them so busy they don’t have time to think.

Rule #3: Devise outside strenuous activities and divide into teams ONLY by picking Team A or Team B tickets from a hat (this avoids the typical “I want to be on your team”
And the “Don’t put me with her, she’s not any good.”

Rule #4: Don’t give out prizes (then neither team feels bad).

Rule #5: Plan enough outside running around games so that the next few “indoor projects” will be more appreciated.

Rule #6: Confiscate all cell phones and explain to the girls that if there is an emergency, you can use the house phone (this eliminates texting, outside interference, girls showing others photos and ignoring the birthday girl.) This is a MUST!

Rule #7: If sleeping over, lay down the rules while the parents are dropping off. Nicely say, “By the way, I am enforcing a strict lights out-no talking policy by 1 AM (or 2 AM), and if there are any problems you’ll have to pick up your daughter at that time” and by saying this in-front of the parents, the girls will be more inclined to listen to you at the end of the night.

Rule #8: The next morning, have a definite time for pick up (around 10:30 am)

Rule #9: The birthday girl can ONLY open gifts the next morning providing everyone’s dressed and all their stuff is by the front door. You’d be surprised how this can motivate the girls to listen and clean up.

Rule #10: Try to give out a memorable party favor (best if hand-made by the birthday girl) as it will be more meaningful.

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It is not often that someone sends you an email that will give you an "A-HA" moment. Well, I just received one. It was published originally on Financial Hack’s blog quite a long time ago (in December 2007 I believe). But ironically, it was just emailed to me (thus the beauty of a good solid posting … it is timeless).

What I took away from the article and I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to link below to read it, is that our basic human nature is to be lazy, say it can’t be done, throw up our hands and say it’s impossible, or too difficult.

Why did this give me an AHA moment? Because once the Japanese defined the problem (Watermelons, big and round, wasted a lot of space in the grocery stores), they didn’t give up until a solution was found.

What sets apart a true entrepreneur and highly successful business woman or man is the following:

an innate ability to see the glass half full

to become the little Einstein who won’t give up

to try and try again.

even with failures … to keep pushing onward until you achieve a winner

Try sharing this watermelon story with your employees, co-workers and kids. Discuss how you should not assume that anything is too difficult, question and analyze your own habits, be creative, look for a better way, and realize that impossibilities often aren't really impossible.

Click Here to read the original watermellon blog

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Recently, I unfortunately learned a ton about Hospice Care. I never thought that I would need to call them (at least not so soon) but found that after my Dad was hospitalized for a long time, and upon his return home, his primary care physician of 10+ years recommended that we use Hospice.

With a gasp of surprise, she realized that I was of the “old school” and thought that Hospice is called in when someone is literally on his “death bed.” This is NOT the case.

In fact, nurses, physical therapists and home health aids are all available to work with families to help them in a variety of ways. EACH case is evaluated independently. If your loved one has an incurable disease and is deteriorating and needs medical assistance, it pays to CALL THEM.

Also, it helps to become extremely organized (especially if you are the daughter or son of the loved one needing help). Make lots of charts. Right down names and contact numbers, responsibilities of who is doing what and when, and most importantly … if you do not feel that the Hospice worker assigned to you is the “right” match, then by all means ask for a different case manager or a different aid. Not everyone “clicks” and gets along with your style. It is perfectly OK to request someone else to care for your loved one if you don’t feel the level of care is adequate or if personalities don’t mesh.

As the Hospice website states,

“When is the right time to ask about hospice? Now is the best time to learn more about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for loved ones and family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice becomes apparent. By having these discussions in advance, uncomfortable situations can be avoided. Instead, educated decisions can be made that include the advice and input of loved ones. “

As for my family, well, sum it up to say that running a business, juggling 3 kids and a husband (often a kid himself) and dealing with 2 other sets of aging parents can be stressful. As a Mom and business owner being pulled from all sides, my only advise to others is to eat right, exercise, get a good massage, enjoy great sex in between running to and from the hospitals, and partake in a fabulous Merlot from time to time.

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OK, if you can’t tell by my recent blogs lately … I’m attempting to get back in shape. Why? Is it because of my New Year’s Resolution? NO

Is it because I want my husband to think I’m sexier and younger? NO

Is it because my pants no longer look “great” on my behind? NO

Simply put … I dragged myself to my Internist at Cleveland Clinic Hospital and she gave me a physical with blood work. Guess whose cholesterol is SKY HIGH? The doc says to me, “it’s not enough to just take your Lipitor and eat right … you MUST exercise 5 times per week and get your heart rate up to 145 for 40 minutes.”

I think she’s crazy … but I am committed not to end up like my Dad with 3 by-pass surgeries, and 2 heart attacks.

Therefore, at 7 a.m. yesterday I did my 2nd ever-cycling class (yes, I got up to 22.4 miles in 60 minutes - and was extremely proud) and today I did my 7a.m. YOGA class with Alain. Now ladies, just going to the class alone and watching Alain will get your heart rate up to 145 – and you don’t even have to move a muscle.

You see, Alain is this incredibly handsome, Afro-American body builder who wears very tight short black yoga shorts and a sleeveless tight-fitting muscle shirt. Alain probably could take on the Dolphins football team single handedly without so much as breaking a sweat.

So you might ask, “And Leslie, what were you wearing?” I was horrified. I truly need to start worrying about what I look like crawling out of bed, forgetting to brush my teeth and my hair, and showing up to Alain’s YOGA class wearing college sweats.

And to make matters worse, my gorgeous blonde girlfriend (who turns EVERY man’s head) was right next to me wearing the most stunning yoga pants with a skimpy low-cut work-out top that had spaghetti thin straps and cut-out lace going down the entire back. I’m wearing sweats!

Time to shop till I drop … here goes:
Hanes Classics™ TAGLESS™ Boy Chic Racer back Tank Top in beautiful soft pink, lilacs, soft blues and black, for just $9.00

Or, get a sexier spaghetti strap camisole for just $12.00, the
Hanes® TAGLESS® Ultimate Stretch Cotton Camisole. Match it up with a pair of light gray or black yoga pants … and even if you can’t complete all the yoga moves, at least you’ll “appear” to fit right in.

Best part -- shop online and get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more.

By next week, my shipment will have arrived and I'm psyched to go!

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According to the Wall Street Journal today, William Lauder of the Lauder family who turned a skin-cream line into one of the best-known names in beauty - Estée Lauder Company – shocked the financial world (but I PERSONALLY can relate why!).

As the WSJ stated, The 47-year-old William Lauder doesn't hide the frustrations that led him to abdicate the post he had been groomed for, the one his father had held for 17 years. He describes being beset by family members with differing agendas, long hours and fighting the perception that his success is only due to his legendary last name. Associates quickly attributed his career trajectory to nepotism, people close to the company say. "Any achievement I made was because of hard work," William says, bristling. "I had to work twice as hard for half the credit, just because I have this last name." Still, William says it "isn't easy" to have board members who remember you as a child and can call you at home anytime. "In my job as CEO, I have a responsibility to all shareholders," William adds. "Virtually all my family members have heard that, even though they don't always appreciate it."

Ironically, fresh out of college, I too worked for my Dad who owns an international air ambulance company. I, just like William, had to work TWICE as hard (yet I was the company’s top producing sales person, and far exceeded a team composed of 4 men – all in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s (yet I was only 22 years old at the time). Yet, all the employees thought that my success was due to nepotism, not hard work. I took call in the middle of the night, often worked 7 days/week. I sold trips, coordinated and scheduled Lear jets, Gulfstreams, Citations, and turbo props. I worked with doctors and executives worldwide, coordinated all aspects, while also helping do marketing.

William Lauder and I both shared one thing in common – we both had Dad’s that expected perfection and who wouldn’t let go of the power or the control - and would call us in the wee hours of thenight to discuss business ideas or problems!

When Fabrizio Freda, a Procter & Gamble Co. executive, will take over the new reigns of President, I wonder how William Lauder will wake up the morning after. I wonder if he’ll be remorseful, sad, bitter, angry with the board, and most of all – I wonder how his relationship will be with the rest of his family?

My only words of advice to William Lauder … time heals deep wounds. I can proudly and happily say that after I made the decision to leave my Dad’s company, at first we didn’t even speak. But today, we are stronger, and have equal respect and love for each other. I guess with Williams multi-millions of dollars, he won’t have the problem of finding a “new job” like I had to do.

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If you are one of the 329,000 woman last year that had breast augmentation (a boob job), then you probably won’t find this blog useful. Why, because perky, firm and upright breasts while lying perfectly flat on an exercise mat do not NEED super supportive sports bras.

If, on the other hand, you are one of the millions of moms who have breast fed, then this blog should be useful …

The key to a safe and pleasant workout begins with a very good sports bra. Ladies … do NOT buy a cheap, flimsy, intricate lace bra (hoping that some hunk at the gym will notice your sexy lingerie). Instead, concentrate on buying a powerful “boulder holder” and make sure it has “breathable fabric.” Yes, breathable fabric means that it will absorb the sweat, and not leave you with 2 huge wet spots directly center of your body (how horribly embarrsing would that be … you’d look like your milk was dripping).

I just bought 2 great sports bras online and got FREE shipping, both from Champion.
My favorite one cost me only $30.00, and is called the "No-Poke® Wire Sports Bra", with HIGH MCR® (High Motion Control) — to help prevent painful bounce during your more intense workouts. Plus, it wicks away moisture and comes in HUGE sizes (44DD) to keep you cool and dry.

My second favorite is the Champion® Everyday® Double Dry® Seamless Underwire Bra. The key is the two-layer design. Inner layer wicks sweat from your skin. Outer layer evaporates it quickly.

Ladies, trust me ... if you're dripping with sweat and truly excercising for the right reasons (mainly, to make yourself feel better and healthier ... NOT to simply impress a man) than do yourself a favor and buy a serious sports bra. It will improve your workout (I speak from experience).

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Jose yelled, “harder, harder, push harder … you can do it” and it reminded me of being in the delivery room. No, I was not at Mount Sinai Hospital, but rather in the midst of a grueling spinning class, which I had no business being at.

I’ve never spinned (or cycled) on a stationary bike during an exercise class. All my girlfriends encouraged me. They all said, “Oh, it’s so much fun and what a great workout.” Obviously, they were not “real” friends, or they would have said, “forget working out … let’s go shopping and out to lunch.”

Instead, it’s 7:55 am and I’ve now completed 55 insane minutes of my first strenuous spinning class. My friend Pamela turns to me and says, “How many miles did you ride?” I had no idea how to read the darn monitor … there were at least 10 different digital readings. I put my hand up and Jose came over, dripping in sweat. I asked him and he told me 18 miles. I laughed in his face. “Are you serious, or is that posh health club miles?” And he insisted that I had ridden 18 real miles.

I have never felt prouder in my life.

Fast forward to the next day. Every time I went to the bathroom, I screamed in agony as I attempted to lower myself onto the seat. Every muscle (especially in my tushy) was screaming in pain. All I can hope for is that tomorrow at 7 a.m. (Monday morning), I will once again muster the strength, the endurance, and most of all the will power to get back in the saddle, and ride another 18 miles … all in hopes of a firmer behind, trimmer thighs and well defined calf muscles.

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The other night, I had the distinct honor and privilege of meeting Governor Charlie Crist, Senator Joe Lieberman and U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. I was beyond excited, floored that I got to have my picture taken as Holbrooke was on my right and Lieberman on my left – with my arms snuggly around both gentleman’s waist. I learned something very important in Dale Carnegie’s ten week course “How to Win Friends and Influence People” seminar which I attended in the mid- 80’s. In summary, if you’re going to strike up a REAL conversation, engage the other party in something that interests THEM, don’t talk about yourself. So, I began my long conversation with Senator Lieberman regarding his wife’s recent lecture which I attended. His ears perked, we spoke of her, and then we began a quick dialog. It was truly a thrill.

But when Governor Crist turned to me later in the evening, cupped both of his hands around my hand, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Oh, another lovely college student” I cracked up – right in his face. Of course he was joking, but who cares. Me, a mother of three in mid-life crises … and this incredibly handsome, extraordinarily tan politician (one woman asked him directly, “Is your tan real or sprayed on?” and his answer was a polite “It’s real”), I think, was actually flirting with me! Well let me tell you … I’ll take what I can get.

The evening was informative, all candidates pushing their own agendas and each delivering their own unique messages.

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I own a very successful company, and have personally hired (and fired) many many people over the years. I also have had several careers working for other people before launching Catalogs.com.

3 out of 5 of my personal jobs were “landed” because of my amazing ability to cold-call. Yes, I’m bragging but my technique works. So here they are: read below and use my advice as a bible/ workbook/ succinct process on how to find a job.

1. Research First
2. Organize
3. Timing
4. Calling
5. Writing
6. Calling
7. Scheduling
8. Interviewing
9. Writing
10. Calling

Did you notice that Interviewing was EIGHTH on the list?
Why, because you MUST do #1 – #7 first or you will NEVER achieve #8.

1.Research
Use the Internet (obviously), newspapers and PERSONAL contacts. Careerbuilder.com, Jobbing.com, Craig’s list.org, Wall Street Journal Executive Jobs, Dice.com, Job Bank Info.org

So, after reading the job posts that interest you, what do you do with the information?

2.Organize - become familiar with Excel. Copy and paste the pertinent information into an Excel spreadsheet.

Each Column should contain the following fields:

President Chief Financial Officer Senior VP Other Dept. Head Recruiter Main Phone Position Advertised Comments Follow-Up Needed

Call using *67 on your phone first, and speak to the receptionist to ask the Presidents name. DO not say who you are or why you are calling. But simply and quickly get the info. AFTER the receptionist gives you the name, then ask for his/her email address, then ask for his direct number. Do not speak or allow the receptionist to transfer you at this time. You are not ready. Simply say thank you and hang-up.

How to get past the gatekeepers: A gatekeeper, by my definition, is someone who is paid to keep their boss away from solicitors! If you’re searching for a new job … your #1 goal is to speak DIRECTLY to the president or owner or Senior Vice President of whatever department you are interviewing for. FORGET the recruiters … just because an advertisement says contact the recruiter, I know that if a potential employee is savvy enough, resourceful, and ballsy to pick up the phone and pitch me directly … this says A LOT in my mind. Even though I have, from time to time, hired recruiters for certain positions … I still am impressed when someone can reach me personally.

Obtain a MINIMUM of 50 different companies’ before moving onto step #2. Fill your Excel spreadsheet as much as possible.

#3. Timing – a very important component. What time of day you cold call is crucial --- between 7:30 am – 9 am is the BEST possible time, or between 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm is the 2nd best time. Anything during the day is probably not time well spent.

Why: Because Presidents/ owners and senior level executives typically wouldn’t be in their position unless they have unbelievable work ethics. MOST presidents/owners of companies are either early morning people or late evening (after the secretary comes in). During the day, you should be filling up your Excel spreadsheet, doing research, and completing the other tasks.

#4 Calling - once you have a completed Excel spreadsheet, containing at least 50 different companies, begin calling at 7:30 am. Make sure the house is quiet, the animals are out of your office, and zero distraction begins. Set your alarm for 6:30 AM and have breakfast and coffee first. Don’t you dare sleep late or stay up late. You have the most important job … finding a great job. This is now your job. Take it seriously and treat it with utmost importance. By 7:30 AM, you better be in your seat, with your Excel spreadsheet printed out and your call list in front of you. Call and ask for the Presidents first name, not last. For example, you would say “Is Tom in?” NOT, hi, do ya think I might be able to speak with Mr. Smith?

Take an authoritative approach, have the confidence in your voice so whoever answers the phone hears that you probably are a personal friend of Mr. Tom Smith, President. If you don’t get thru, do NOT leave a message. Ask what time Tom usually gets in? Then say thank you.

Mark it under your comments take your pointer finger and press down on the button to hang up the phone but do NOT put the hand set/ receiver back on the phone …. Dial the next number, and repeat. Using this process, you should make about 25 calls within 1 hour!

Between 7:30 am – 9 am you should have accomplished about 35 calls. During that 1 ½ hours, do not ever put the receiver/hand set back on the phone!

Now assume that you get Tom, the President, on the line. What do you say? Have s script already typed out in front of you. “Hi Tom, my name is Leslie Linevsky. I am calling you NOT to sell you anything. Specifically, I am looking at changing careers and I’ve done a good bit of research on your company (by the way, from what I’ve read it appears that you’ve really built a successful company.) I was wondering if I could set up a specific time to meet with you to discuss how I might fit into your organization. Is Monday morning or Tuesday afternoon possible?"

If he says he’s busy, then say, “Would next week on Wednesday or Thursday be possible?” If he still says no, then say, “I completely understand how busy you are and I promise to take ONLY 5 minutes of your time, but I really, very strongly believe that given my past accomplishments and my persistent drive to work extremely hard could only benefit your company. Isn’t 5 minutes potentially worth it if I am able to increase revenues substantially?”

If Tom asks you “What type of job are you looking for” answer either with a specific one that is posted, or say, “I am excellent helping companies identify areas of weakness and then relish the challenge of working with a team to solve the problems and ultimately increase sales. Or, you might say I’m fabulous at (sales, prospective, customer service, finance, etc) and really believe that if you give me 5 minutes of your time, you will see first hand how I might benefit your company. Is there any day next week that would work for you?”

If he still says no, then ask if he could recommend that you meet with someone else in his organization. Get the name and number and immediately call that person, while on the phone say “Hi, I just spoke with Tom Smith and he recommended that we speak and set up a time to meet to discuss how I may be of benefit to your company. Is Monday or Tuesday morning better?”

Have your calendar opened with a pencil in the middle of the calendar with Today’s date already opened. Schedule everything using a pencil.

If Tom grants you a meeting, re-confirm the date and time and SLOWLY spell your full name so that he writes it/types it into his calendar. Say thank you, I look forward to seeing you on January 15th at 9 am. Bye.” Then take your pointer finger and press down on the button to hang up the phone but do NOT put the hand set/ receiver back on the phone …. Pencil in your appointment, make a huge RED MARKER asterisks in the comment filed and write “appt.” then dial the next number, and repeat. Just because you’ve landed 1 interview you do NOT stop calling during this 1 ½ hour morning segment between 7:30 am – 9 am.

#5 Writing - if you’ve spoken to someone first, then send your resume. Email is great, but with the thousands of emails which I receive weekly, it’s nice to receive an old fashioned crisp 205lb. linen paper with a perfect, error free, typo-free resume and cover letter. It's OK to send BOTH an email and follow-up with a printed version mailed.

#6 Calling – once you’ve sent an email AND resume, then call the specific person you sent the resume to. Repeat the same process to set up an interview. Be persistent and ASK for the interview. Your goal is to spark their curiosity, set up the meeting and get off the phone. Don’t say “Hi, How are you?” Get right to the point. Pitch them, sell them and get off the phone. Again, try really hard to identify the President, CFO or Senior VP.

#7 – Scheduling – you need to have 4 interviews per week. Do not stop calling and follow steps #1 – 6 until you achieve 4 confirmed interviews per week.

#8 – Interviewing – there are millions of websites telling people how to interview. Dress appropriately, carry a brief case or leather bound folder, where a business suit. Woman – cut your nails and get a manicure! Do NOT wear 4 inch high heels or low cut blouses (if this is how you want to dress … go apply at Hooters). Men, wear a tie. Walk into the room with a H U G E smile, extend your hand first and confidently say, “Hello, Tom, it’s nice to meet you.”

Sit patiently, and do not slump back in the chair. Sit a bit forward on the chair, and above all … men don’t cross your leg over the other, don’t flop your elbows on the chair and look like you’re having a beer with an old buddy. Women, don’t twirl your hair, don’t tap your foot nervously. No one should look around the room or at walls, stare directly into Tom’s eyes, keep a smile, and begin by saying, “Thank you for agreeing to meet. As I promised on the phone, I won’t take up much of your time. I’ve read a little bit about your company, and I must say from what I’ve read, you’ve built yourself a very worthwhile company. My background consists of ___, ____,___ and I believe my talents in ___,___ and ___ might be an asset to you. What would you like to know about me?”

Listen, form your answer succinctly, answer it directly, do NOT add more than what he’s asked. If the question comes up, “are you currently working and if the answer is no, then say “no, I’ve chosen to investigate just a few companies where I believe my ___ talents can build sales revenue, so I am carefully and selectively meeting with only those companies I want. This is why I’m so excited to be meeting with you because I truly believe that XYZ Company and I could make a nice match.”

The number one mistake of every person … forgetting to ask for a job! Yes, after you’ve answered Tom’s questions, you MUST say, “Can I ask you 1 or 2 quick questions?” Have them already written on your notepad, it’s OK to bend down and pick up your leather bound folding attaché and refer to your questions. Have at least 5 meaningful questions written out. Great questions might be:

What are your plans for new products or new services?

Is ___ or ____ considered competition and how does your product or service outperform these competitors? This requires that you do research BEFORE your interview but it shows Tom that you not only have done real research, but you’ve investigated potential competitors.

Have you found over the years that ___ or ____ type of sales and marketing have worked better or has ___ worked better?

When you bring onboard a new person, what traits are you specifically looking for? Let Tom speak, then turn it around and say, “That’s interesting, because I feel that one of my greatest strengths is _____.

Again, the number one mistake of every person … forgetting to ask for a job! Now ask, “Tom, your company is really of interest to me. May I begin working for you? I promise you won’t regret your decision.”Then begin the salary, negotiations, specifics, etc. DO NOT ask about titles, positions, or salary until you have convinced Tom that you are an asset to be hired.

# 9 – Writing a Follow up. Whether you’ve landed the job, been referred, or even been turned down … you follow-up EVERY meeting with a personalized thank you note, a copy of your resume and if they have said no, then ask for a referral to another company. I promise you that every senior level executive knows hundreds of other senior level executives in many industries. Take the opportunity to ask for referrals and names and numbers.

#10 – Calling, it’s now approaching 5 pm, pick up the phone and start the entire cold-calling process again. You should be calling from 5 – 7:30 pm, without stopping, and remember, take your pointer finger and press down on the button to hang up the phone but do NOT put the hand set/ receiver back on the phone …. Dial the next number, and repeat. Using this process, you should make about 25 calls within 1 hour! From 5 pm – 7:30 pm you will achieve about 75 calls.

Go eat, get a good night sleep and begin the next morning at 6:30 am with breakfast and coffee, 7:30 AM – 9 AM cold-call. From 9 AM – 5 PM research, fill up your Excel spreadsheet, interview, write, follow-up and start calling at 5 pm.

Repeat this process until you have landed the perfect job. Remember; do NOT stop this entire process until you have a SIGNED letter from a company spelling out your start date, your salary, and your position.
Remember, it is better to have 3 firm job offers on the table and then decide. My greatest negotiations are when I once worked for an outplacement firm and seriously had 3 offers. I told the President of the company I really wanted that he needed to increase his offer by $15,000 annually, or I would go with the other company. He did … and the rest is history.

A very worthwhile article is written by Michael C. Lazarchick, PhD, writer for the National Employment Counseling Association, click here and read his ENTIRE article.

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It’s 5:55 AM and I just arrived at the health club to work out. I grab the Wall Street Journal and read that Starbuck’s is bringing back Howard Schultz to “fix a coffee empire that he says has become stifled by bureaucracy and has lost the courage that helped it change how Americans get their coffee.”

According to the article, Mr. Schultz said yesterday he plans to slow down the pace of new store openings in the U.S. and to close struggling locations.

With over 15,000 locations worldwide, it’s no wonder that the “company's rapid expansion has distracted it from making its cafes an inviting place with exciting new products.”

As a coffee-holic, I personally L O V E Starbucks. I think Dunkin Donuts coffee is the WORST. It’s weak, it’s watery and it’s totally bland. Having now admitted that I am brainwashed and Pavlovian trained to only enjoy Starbucks, I will admit that I am hooked.

But how is the new CEO Howard Schultz planning to make Starbuck’s more café like, more hometown feel, less like a dime a dozen McDonald’s and something that will “add value” to a consumers café experience? He has a letter to consumers on Starbuck's home page

Well, given that I’m a coffee connoisseur, frequent (daily) visitor to Starbuck’s and marketing guru -- I would like to offer Mr. Schultz some advice:

5 Ways to Improve Starbuck’s

1. It’s on the minds of millions of overweight consumers whose New Year’s Resolution is to “loose weight”. Change the signage on your reduced fat pastries to include fat grams, carbohydrates and Weight Watcher’s points. And for God sake …. Offer a real alternative that is HEALTHY like bran muffins, sugar-free blueberry muffins filled with fiber and FAT-FREE yogurt parfaits with reduced fat granola.

2. Provide more small tables to sit at (so often people are hording the tables and spend hours). It’s nice to know that I can make a date with my girlfriend for coffee and not sit on a curb!

3. Have soft, quiet music playing – not loud rap or rock-n-roll. Starbuck’s should create the feel of a spa-like oasis with gentle, relaxing music.

4. Offer a larger selection of “grab-n-go” sandwiches and cheese platters (of course, with the proper nutritional information as noted above in #1 impromvement suggestion.)

5. Offer newspapers at every table, clearly labeled “Please enjoy but leave on the table for other patrons”. It’s nice to have the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other papers available for a “quick read.”

Now, if Mr. Schultz would like to pay me for my advice … I’ll gladly accept a years worth of free Venti drips to go!

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Dear followers of Catalogs.com blog … all I can say is “sorry for my lack of communication.”

Between technical difficulties (including 3 crashes to the blog); holiday shuffling and traveling … I’ve been negligent.

January 2008 is a new adventure.

I promise more adventure, more commentary and certainly more insight to running a company, juggling a family, caring for elders and most important … enjoying life.

So get ready, stay tuned and here we go …

My top 10 new year’s resolutions.

1. Lose the 15 pounds that I’ve gained since 2006.
2. Dress better and more fashionably – after all, at my ripe age we need to look good even if we can’t function mentally or physically like we used to at the age of 25.
3. Stop yelling at my 3 kids and practice patience, calming exercises and negotiation control.
4. Launch 3 new business models within Catalogs.com (under top secret security until the launch … but I will mention that it will blow the socks off our current catalogers and they will hopefully be thrilled with our new programs).
5. Treat employees with more respect and concern.
6. Spend more quality time with my husband and leave the “business” out of pillow talk.
7. Encourage my 3 kids to work hard to earn money for charities of their preference, not just to spend money on themselves.
8. Improve customer service with Catalogs.com and respond more quickly, more efficiently and with a smile at every call or concern I handle.
9. Spend as much quality time with my 3 sets of aging parents and make each moment more meaningful.
10. Spend more one-on-one time with each of my 3 children, apart from their siblings.

Well, I think my above list is optimistic but doable. I’d love to hear your comments and would welcome all “clean” and “publishable” comments.

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Bountiful Baskets Make the Perfect Gift!

Well, it's 4am and I'm wide awake so I decided to hop online to do some holiday shopping and the most amazing thing happened...I finally discovered how to make holiday shopping easy, yes I did in fact just say “easy.” I found everything I wanted, along with saving certificates, plus got it all with FREE shipping right to the recipient's doorstep. So, my advice? Get online and shop ‘til you drop. This post is for all of you out there who might still be resisting the online shopping craze. I’m here to tell you don’t!

Holiday shopping is stressful and well, let’s just admit it, it usually sucks! Crowded malls, screaming children, limited item availability, what to buy? By shopping online I just saved myself all of the hassle. I bought four teacher's presents and more with just the click of my mouse. I feel so revlieved...maybe now I can get some sleep? Check out one of the gifts I bought...isn't great?

As you all know, my company, Catalogs.com, is a hub & gateway to some of the best online shopping around and the special savings certificates don’t hurt either. So for me, online gift shopping should have always been the obvious choice, but honestly I’ve never considered doing it ALL from the comforts of my laptop…until now. By shopping online, not only do you save time and money, but you also have more options, you can personalize gifts and have them custom-wrapped and shipped directly to the recipient with personal notecard included. Can’t get any better than that right?

It was fast, fun, easy and I was able to find gifts for everyone under the sun: Teachers, Sports Coaches, Doctors, Tutors, friends, family etc…). As I added to my online shopping cart I knew I could never go back to “traditional” holiday shopping. This was defintely holiday shopping made easy!

Here are some of my faves by category, with FREE shipping, along with links so that you can also save some cash with the special savings certificates. All you have to do is enter the promotional code at checkout. If the savings code does NOT work … pick up the phone and complain…loudly if necessary, to ensure that you get it. As hard as we all work on our end to program everything correctly…sometimes the system on the MERCHANT’S site does not always work. This is the only potential, yet rare, downside to online shopping, it can be frustrating but as a consumer … fight for your rights!!

Below are FREE SHIPPING deals for the holidays ...

1.Fine Fragrances & Skin Care: Frangrancesnet.com, Neal’s Yard Remedies natural beauty products, Caswell-Massey the original natural beauty line and Simply Karen Mineral Cosmetics.
2.Academic Tools, Supplies and Gadgets: XUMP.COM for hands-on science fun, Discount School Supply, Academic Superstore sofware, electronics and more.
3.Gourmet Food & Gift Baskets: Entrees to Excellence the one-stop gourmet food shop, Coffee Bean Direct gourmet coffee & tea baskets, Beatrice Bakery home-baked cakes right to the front door, Burgers’ Smokehouse, Heartwarming Treasures gourmet gift baskets.
4.Jewelry ,Collectibles & Unique Customized Gifts: Sunshine Jewelry largest selection of discount jewelry online (save 67%), Limoges Jewelry customized one-of-a-kind pieces, Personal Creations, RedLetterGifts.com, Eve’s Addiction the hottest trends in sterling silver jewelry, Armstrong Flag Company with a huge collections of state & world flags, Crown Awards custom awards/plaques/trophies and more, SpaWish.com an easy spa finder on this site locates a salon or day spa near the lucky recipient, and My Wines Direct.

Cheers to a Happy Holiday Season!

Enjoy!

~ Leslie

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This says it all...

Is it just me or have most people totally lost the ability to leave proper phone messages? In part, I blame the rise of email and text messaging, but I think it’s largely due to the fact that everyone is always in such a rush these days. Whatever the reason, both as a mom and business owner, this is one of my biggest PET PEEVES and sources of frustration throughout the day. I just don’t understand why this is so hard? So, in an effort to maintain my sanity, I found a great article with tips on how to leave proper phone messages…I still cannot believe that this is even necessary.

I just have to rant a bit more, so bare with me. Even business professionals can’t seem to figure it out. Is this a dying art form? The fact is, effective communication is crucial for business success, whether it be sales, follow-up, collaboration, media etc…Sometimes I just want to scream, “learn how to leave a PROPER phone message,” but of course I never do…that would be rude.

FYI - 95% (yes…95%) of all phone messages that I receive, the caller either doesn’t leave a call back number, as if I’m supposed to be clairvoyant and magically just know where to reach them OR they leave the number so quickly that I can’t understand a thing they’ve said. SLOW DOWN! Typically I have to hit replay multiple times and sometimes I just lose all patience, get in a bad mood and say to myself, “it must not be that important, I’m not wasting my time, if they can’t take the time to leave a proper message.” Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m almost positive that most people out there feel the same way.

So, if you or anyone you know is guilty of having terrible “voicemail etiquette,” or if you are as annoyed by this as I am, visit the link above; read it, implement the tips, pass them on, print out and leave them in your company’s lunch room…do whatever it takes to stop the insanity. Together we can make a change.

Thanks for letting me rant, I feel much better now!

~ Leslie

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W O W ! I Just had a business breakfast with one of the most fascinating and successful CEO’s in the country, Laura Ann Goldman, the CEO of Spanx, Inc. the ultra-successful, super slimming hosiery company.

Wonder Spanx!

It's not every day one gets to talk "privately" with a woman who grew a company to $150 million in revenue!

Spanx was founded by Sara Blakely just 7 years ago, and today the company boasts over $150 million in retail sales, 55 employees, 100 different styles, four patents, and ASSETS a new brand available exclusively at Target retailers. Additionally, the company is about to launch it’ new, revolutionary Bra-llelujah which is already on pre-order.

Spanx incredible growth and success is due in large part to the dedication and expertise of Laura Ann Goldman. I, along with just nine other business executives, had breakfast and coffee with her as part of the WEC: Women’s Executive Circle. It was an incredible experience.Ms. Goldman shared some of her personal and professional background with us, as well as some of the many challenges she has faced as a female executive in a male dominated world.

Laura Ann Goldman is a young, beautiful, married, mother of three young boys under the age of 15. And as she explained, she is also simultaneously the CEO and driving force behind one of the most successful corporations to come along in a very long time. She’s smart, sassy, knows what she wants and how to achieve it, and oversees the entire Spanx Empire as if it were another child. She is the “woman behind the woman” (Spanx founder, Sara Blakely). In fact, Laura’s most recent brainchild was the Assets line, a less expensive version of Spanx now sold at Target. They conducted over 300 focus groups when deciding whether or not to launch a cheaper version, affordable to the masses. She’s clearly a very detailed, strategic thinker.

She also described her experiences in a male dominated industry and about her decision to leave Coca Cola. Laura had delivered her 3rd child and 48 hours later was required to stand up and give a formal presentation to the Chairman of Coca Cola. I’d like to see a man pull that one off…Anyway, afterward she’s in Saks and upset about the fact that she had JUST delivered a baby and needed to be at a big corporate event. She was with a friend who suggested Spanx. She’s never heard of it before but it was sold out in every color and size. Quite ironically, the COO was in Saks, and overheard the conversation. He asked what the problem was? She began to ask about distribution channels, production, manufacturing, inventory etc… he was blown away. They talked for 2 hours, later he introduced her to Sara and the rest is history. Her story is a testament to being in the right place at the right time. Talk about lucky!

As a working mother and business owner, I often find myself wearing many different hats while trying to juggle multiple obligations at once. So, I was particularly intrigued when she shared her experience of “blending not balancing.” Laura described that with her husband and kids …there isn’t balance but rather blending of responsibilities. Her husband is a successful investment banker with his own firm, but he was the one handling car pool and stomach aches this very morning. Yet still, she was getting calls in the car from her upset husband, “why aren’t you home dealing with this?” As executive women, we all face this dilemma. Ms. Goldman admitted that her husband, while publicly proud and happy for her, secretly wishes she would quit and stay home with the kids. However, she is fortunate that her position with Spanx allows for a lot of flexibility and balancing of work and family…she wouldn’t have it any other way. In her original employee contract she negotiated a clause that when her family needs her, or when her philanthropic duties require attention, that she would be given the freedom and flexibility to deal with these personal issues.

Still, this “blending” seems to be a challenging for her, as it is for all us working women. It’s a comfort to know that I’m not alone in this struggle; that no matter how much success one achieves…nobody can actually be “Super Woman.” But here’s to all the women out there who work hard, love their families and friends, respect themselves…and who just do their best…ultimately, that’s what makes us all Super Women!

~Leslie

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