I hardly ever write blog posts just to complain about something. So I’m calling this a “tip” or “advice”. Yeah, that’s what I’m going to say this is…

I’ve attended and presented at many conferences, lunch-n-learns or [insert corporate event name with a guest speaker name here] …and i have a pet peeve with the a few guest speakers and how they start their presentations. Stop me if you’ve heard this one:

1.) Introduction is given by the organizer of the event…
2.) Then, the guest speaker get’s up and begins by taking the first 1-minute to thank the organizers all by name and for asking them to speak at the event.

Why do people do this?
The audience almost never cares to hear this.

Isn’t the 101-rule-of-public-speaking to “know your audience”? I don’t think anyone came to your presentation to hear ‘thank yous’. And you’re cutting away from the time they paid to learn from you. Can’t these ‘thank yous’ be done off-stage?

This idea isn’t going to change the world…
…but can’t we respect everyones time and move the ‘thank yous’ off-stage? Or send them a card.

Thank you,
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I wanted to be helpful and share with everyone all the great feedback I received to this question. Once a semester, I’m asked to go back to the Journalism school at the University of Kansas to speak (typically on digital strategy or writing for the web). So rather than just share my own opinion, you’ll see below some great advice from several people who are established journalists, PR pros or communication professionals. I shared all of these with the students at KU last night.

Thank you Derek, Sarah, Chris, Kate, James, Megan, Jarrod, Brian, Carolyn, Gina, Sarah, Justin, Jaie, Lauren, Kacie, Pat, Kerstin, and Juana!

**update**
Paul sent me a link-tip for a great blog post by Becky Johns; “Three Things Students Need to Know”.

Here is quick, simple inbox hack that I came up with. I wanted to share it to be helpful.
I segment my inbox into 3 parts:

1.) Inbox = I view this as the main “firehose” of incoming email. I view this as just the holding area for new messages. No email sits in here. I always keep it empty.

Using a keyboard shortcut (CTRL + shift + V), I then select messages in my inbox and quickly filter every message into 1 of 2 folders under my inbox:

2.) ATTENTION-NOW = things that need attention b/c they are important or time sensitive.
3.) DO-LATER = emails that aren’t time sensitive, or are less important.

It’s really easy to setup these folders. And this simple hack helps me focus on what needs my attention. Hopefully this will help you get to inbox zero. **update** Amber also shared some great gmail hack tips. She uses the Do, Delegate, Defer, Delete system.
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I wanted to pass along the good word about a great book called Web Form Design. If you’re designing a website, good form design is essential. The book is over 200 pages- however, I wanted to share the “CliffsNotes” lesson in regards to alignment of text labels for a website form. This is the fast and furious version I put together (below), but go buy the book if you want the longer explanations and research/data behind the tips (i’m just trying to save you some time).

Label alignment is vital to form design and there are basic rules on when to use top-, right-, or left-aligned labels for input fields.

TOP ALIGNED
Use this method if you want to reduce form completion time for users. This design is quick and easiest for users to complete because the labels are close in proximity to the fields themselves. Users will quickly scan to see see the only direction their eye has to move to complete the form (down). The book goes into in-depth eye studies about top-aligned design- which prove it’s consistently the fastest type of layout / design to have users complete a form. Again, since it’s all compacted together, this makes it easy for users to see a clear path to completion.

RIGHT ALIGNED
This method is good users and the minimal vertical screen real-estate used. This method still allows for fast completion time, but not as fast as Top-Aligned.

LEFT ALIGNED
If you’ve got a form that you really want people to take special care and time in what data they are entering, Left-Aligned is the way to go. The amount of area the eye has to travel from the label on the left to the field on the right- this is the reason for this being the slowest of the options. However, if you have several ‘optional fields’ or ‘preference’ dialogs this is the best method to choose. Again, if you’re asking for specific uncommon data input (address information for example is NOT an uncommon data request).

I’ve been busy planning the Ugly Christmas Sweater benefit party (read the full story here) and today we finally launched the website! Tickets are officially on sale! [loud cheers, noises, applause]. Buy your tickets now at: www.kcsweaterparty.com

I wanted to share what I’ve learned throughout this process thus far:

1.) There’s a lot of people out there that sincerely want to do good in this world, they just don’t haven’t had the right opportunity to do it.

We live in a world where turning on the nightly news can put even the best of spirited person in a somber mood. Most people want to help, but just haven’t had the right opportunity to follow through with it. I’ve found that once you interact with others, the passion and charity “attitude” is completely and utterly contagious.

I’d equate it to making yourself go to the gym to workout (stick with me on this one, I swear). So… you want workout. You tell yourself you want to. Your friends do it. So one day your friends finally drag you along to workout and now the apprehension to do it is over. You just needed that extra push over the edge to get on your feet running.

When I talk to friends, family and business owners about this benefit — I’m seeing right before my eyes that once you illustrate there’s a channel in which they can help and it’s RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW – they’re instantly turned on to the idea. They want to help, they just need the right opportunity and someone to believe in. The message is even stronger when it comes from someone they know, not just a TV commercial or paper pamphlet they’ve received.

2.) The word “no” isn’t something one should ever fear. Don’t ever hold back because of the fear of rejection.

Being rejected only makes you stronger and better than you were before. You’ll learn from your mistakes. And you’ll learn quick. I’ve heard lots of “nos” and “sorry wish I could help”. All of which I walk away with the mindset to think of what did or didn’t work. But never do I walk away with my head down and less motivated than before. It comes with the territory and every interaction you have must be a learning experience.

In our committee meetings people suggest countless ideas. We all have personal ideas that we brainstorm, some of which seem completely unrealistic. However, what I’ve learned is that rejecting ideas before actually investigating it — worst. thing. ever. I’ve learned not to say “that would never work” until you really have tried it. If an idea is solid — it’s enough to have legs and there’s steps to get there, “make it happen” is the only attitude to have.

3.) Surround yourself with a group of people that make you better than you would be alone.

When selecting people for the Steering Committee for this party I knew one thing. I wanted the group to be smarter at planning this party than I would be doing it alone. I know my friends who are helping me plan this are smarter than me. I constantly ask for feedback, suggestions and look to empower individuals of the group with Projects. This leadership style I’ve found allows one to play to every one’s strengths and interests. It’s a great way to establish ownership within the individuals of the committee. We truly are a group that is embodies the principle: WE is smarter than me.

4.) Don’t panic. Solutions present themselves to those who know how to keep their composure.

The benefit planning process isn’t 100% smooth sailing filled with happy dancing monkeys and toothbrushes. When problems occur (because they will occur) and things aren’t going as planned — adapt. Re-tweak. Focus. As long as you have the composure to regain your footing you’ll find yourself able to clearly see the steps to the solution.

5.) Frequently take time to step back and see the big picture.

In the chaos of it all, there are times when you need to take a step back and ensure that the big picture objectives are still being met. Getting caught up in the details can lead to dropping critical big picture goal you want to achieve. Make sure you’re able to take a deep breath and evaluate how things all fit together and if certain aspects need more attention than others.

There’s so much more I’ve learned in regards to event planning, leadership, people and things about myself that can’t be encapsulated in a “Top 5″ list. These lessons learned have truly made me a better person. I still get chills thinking about how much of an impact we’ve already made on the community. I also get excited and extremely motivated knowing how much more we can accomplish.

**One thing is for certain, the best has yet to come.**
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