The Small Blog

Tue, May 15, 2012 - 10:04:11

SMALL Ways to Fight the Effects of a Big Commute

According to a 2009 U.S. Census Bureau study, the average American commutes approximately 25 minutes on the way to and from work each day. For many, enduring rush hour traffic can be taxing, but not just on the nerves. Recent research out of Washington University in St. Louis has concluded that people with longer commutes are more likely to be overweight than those with short ones or those with none at all.

ABC News reports that although researchers are unclear as to why, exactly, the correlation between obesity and commutes exists, they’ve theorized that it could have something to do with having less time during the day to take part in healthy habits like pre- or post- work exercise or cooking a nutritious meal. Fortunately, for those of us who don’t have the luxury of walking to work everyday, there are ways to fight the negative effects of commuting. And it starts with finding the SMALL opportunities to make little, yet hugely effective changes to your daily routine. For example:

Take a walk. Washington University in St. Louis head researcher Christine Hoehner tells ABC News, “Driving to work has become a part of American life. But there’s no reason that taking walks during work breaks can’t become part of daily life, too.” So, make it a new habit to break up your workday with a 15-minute jaunt around the block. In addition to the exercise, you’ll get the benefit of a little mental break to help fuel your productivity.

Skip the elevator. Try taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. The cardio from climbing the stairs will help you burn calories and provide you with a rush of dopamine to boost your mood.

Pack a healthy drive-time snack. When you’re hungry after work, it can be tempting to grab a bag of chips from the office vending machine on the way to your car. Fight the urge by preparing a healthier snack bag filled with almonds, sliced apples, or carrots for example to tide you over in the car.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Mon, April 30, 2012 - 9:32:40

Yet Another Reason to Get the “Write” Stuff

At our agency, the Kaplan Thaler Group, every one of our employees has a little chalkboard outside his or her office, but it’s not just for decoration. It’s because we’ve always suspected that drawing and writing with your hands boosts creativity, so it’s been a practice around our offices for years.  As birthplace of such groundbreaking ideas as the beloved Aflac Duck and Herbal Essence’s daring “Yes, yes, yes!” campaign among countless others, we think we’re on to something.

We’re not the only people who’ve discovered the power of going analog in our digital era. In fact, the web’s most formidable player, Facebook, is known for regularly choosing paper over pixels. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the team at the fast moving Facebook believes that the hand is still the quickest way to get an idea down. “Most of the walls at the company’s offices around the country have been coated with dry-erase or chalkboard paint or a treatment for glass to allow employees to sketch ideas whenever they arise,” WSJ explains, “The company’s offices are filled with jottings, from mathematical equations to doodles of cats and dollar signs.”

Research published in the Journal of Science last summer suggests that drawing and doodling increase the brain’s capacity for innovation and creative thinking. But, that’s not all. Doodling can also help you remember more. The Wall Street Journal cites a 2009 study, which found that people who doodle while listening usually retain more information than those who don’t. Although it people commonly mistake doodlers for being inattentive, they’re actually just the opposite.

We’ll be the first to admit that it would be nearly impossible to part with our smart devices. But, even in this day and age, a pen and paper can be two of the most powerful weapons in your professional arsenal. Whether you’re looking for a way to make your ideas brighter or to help other people’s stick, a little time spent doodling can make a big difference.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Tue, April 24, 2012 - 9:02:11

It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: The Way You Talk Could Cost You the Job

Being well spoken is a valuable trait in the business world; it’s one that can help you land an interview, communicate with clients, and effectively present ideas. But, there’s a phenomenon among young people—particularly millennial women—that could negate even their best efforts to get ahead. It’s called “vocal fry” and, as Craig Chappelow, a portfolio manager at the Center for Creative Leadership, wrote recently on The Expert Blog, it could keep you from getting hired.

Medical professionals have long warned that this growly style of speech, sometimes called “glottalization,” is damaging to overall vocal health, leading to vocal nodes, which can permanently alter the sound of your voice. But, the effects can be equally damaging to your career. Although much of our day-to-day communication is now done electronically via email and social networking, speaking is still something most of us have to do every day. And if you don’t sound professional, there’s little chance that your coworkers, clients, or superiors will believe that you are.

Chappelow relates a cautionary tale:

One of the staffers on the preliminary interviews handed me the shortened stack and told me that he had arranged the candidates in rank order based on their qualifications. He did a nice job because the resume on top of the pile looked like a perfect match of background and experience.

But when I spoke with the candidate, I ruled her out immediately. Why? Because of how she talked on the phone. Every sentence ended in a gravelly low vibrato. It was a grating, kazoo-like effect that made the candidate sound immature, unconfident, and, frankly, annoying. There was no way we could risk having her represent us with a senior executive audience in spite of her considerable track record and credentials.

It’s just one more example of how the little things we do—something as simple as the way we talk—can have a dramatic impact on our lives. It may seem like a small thing, but speaking with an unnatural vocal fry can create a negative impression from the start and make even your most well thought out words lose their meaning.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, April 20, 2012 - 9:29:52

Words with Friends: The Little Conversation You Should Stop Having Now

Two friends are chatting at work when the topic comes to everyone’s favorite subject: lunch. Then it starts, “I can’t eat carbs—my thighs are huge,” remarks one woman. “Oh, please,” says the other, “just look at my jiggly arms!”

Sound familiar? That’s because it’s probably a conversation you’ve had at least a few times. But, as Anya Strzemien wrote in a wonderful piece for Stylelist , it’s one you should stop having right now. And the reason is simple: those little digs we make about ourselves in order to commiserate with our friends can have a big impact on our self-esteem.

One way to kick this bad habit is simply to replace the self put-down with a genuine compliment about the other person. Instead of responding to your friend’s body-blasting statement with another negative statement, flip it around. For example, don’t say, “Are you kidding? I’m so fat!” respond, “I think you look great. And just look at those shoes!” It cuts the cycle of negativity off immediately and turns the conversation in a positive direction.

In order to combat this common bonding practice among women, Anya Strzemien came up with another clever idea. Similar to the “swear jar” your mom might have kept around when you were a kid, the blogger has set up a “I Promise To Stop Saying Negative Things About My Body Jar” in the Stylelist offices. Each time anyone around the office slips up, they have to make a donation, which will go to the charity, Girls INC.

Whatever method you choose, make today the day you decide to stop having those damaging conversations with your friends. You’ll soon find that the less you talk badly about yourself, the better you feel.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, April 06, 2012 - 9:52:47

Big Thinking Executives Can Limit a Business

Innovative leaders like Steve Jobs are often prized for their expansive vision, big thinking, and boundless ideas. But, did you know that Jobs, himself, was also one to sweat the small stuff? As business author Bob Sutton writes in an article for Fast Company, Jobs was known to frequent his local Palo Alto Mac Store to inspect seemingly unimportant details such as the quality of the shopping bags and where employees stood around the store. Jobs understood that these tiny details weren’t so trivial and instead recognized their true potential. In reality, these details were integral in creating a brand image that today is so powerful that its insatiable customers are routinely described as members of “The Cult of the Mac.”

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we describe how our own SMALL-thinking propelled our tiny start-up into one of the nation’s fastest growing advertising agencies in less than a decade. But, “thinking SMALL” doesn’t mean we didn’t come up with “Big Bang!” ideas, nor does it mean that we completely ignored the big picture. Rather, thinking SMALL, focusing on the little things, making sure every detail is just right, and taking every project one small step at a time has helped us expand year after year.

As Sutton explains, managers who sweat the small stuff remain more in-touch with their consumers and their employees. This, in turn, gives them an advantage in tackling the bigger, broader issues. With a much more detailed understanding, leaders can make truly informed, strategic decisions that address the big picture, strengthened by the power of SMALL.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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