I was laying in bed thinking about the things I needed to do. Despite having a good night’s sleep, laying in bed was a pretty comfortable place to be on a dark and dreary autumn morning. I needed some motivation to get up and go. It’s not always easy to find motivation, but it canContinue reading “Finding your ‘get up and go’”
Author Archives: Haynes on Communication
How to get stuff done
We all have “stuff” we need to get done — work stuff, family stuff, friend stuff, your stuff! The list goes on. One of my favourite ways to get stuff done is to make a ‘to-do’ list. It means mapping out my day and striking out each task as I accomplish it. Today it was:Continue reading “How to get stuff done”
Can you hear me?
Soft-spokenSpeaking or said with a gentle, quiet voice. Oxford Dictionary I’ve been accused of being soft-spoken more than once in my life. I can’t count the number of times someone asked me to speak louder because they couldn’t hear me. Early in my career, when I made presentations in front of a group, one ofContinue reading “Can you hear me?”
Working with your puzzle partner
Are you a puzzle person? Do you make puzzles on your own or do you have a puzzle partner you share the task with? Putting a puzzle together with someone can be fun, but also challenging. Much like teamwork on a project. Teamwork = Two people (or more) working together with the same objective. InContinue reading “Working with your puzzle partner”
Parles-tu anglais ?
Last week I did some travelling in Quebec. I had a great time reconnecting with relatives outside of Montreal and practicing my French — a language I haven’t used much in years. Even though I felt like I’d butchered the language, I was told I spoke well. I managed to get by. According to Ethnologue.com,Continue reading “Parles-tu anglais ?”
Strike up a conversation
This past week I circled Lake Superior by car with family. The views were magnificent — rock cuts, gorges, waterfalls and breathtaking horizons. At every stop, there were tourists from different places in Canada and United States experiencing the same wonders and sharing their stories about the last trips they’d made, the tours or sightsContinue reading “Strike up a conversation”
Writing for who and how
There are as many reasons to write as there are ways to write. You might be writing a book — a memoir, a “do-it-yourself” guide, a work of fiction or history. You might be writing an assignment for school, an email to your team or an invitation to your next epic party. You might beContinue reading “Writing for who and how”
Narrow it down!
I’m often asked how I come up with a topic for my writing, followed by how I narrow down the possibilities. I have to admit, sometimes it’s just a random thought that pops into my head. Other times I draw on an experience. I’ve also learned a few techniques along the way to draw outContinue reading “Narrow it down!”
A case for planning
One of the fun parts of my job is planning events for small businesses. I have a number of contacts who specialize in creating party favours and printed items, but the real fun comes with the planning. Mary runs a small home design shop where she displays various fabrics, mirrors and other stylish vases andContinue reading “A case for planning”
Trust me, he said
Every experience someone has with your brand contributes to the perception they form about your brand. If you want these experiences to nudge people closer to a purchase decision, you need to deliver on what you promise. Like billions of online shoppers, I placed an order for delivery before the holidays. Nothing extravagant; it wasContinue reading “Trust me, he said”
Writing for you. 