US DOL $55 million in Green Jobs Training Grants

US Department of Labor Announces Nearly $55 million in Green Jobs Training Grants through Recovery Act. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced nearly $55 million in green jobs grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will support job training and labor market information programs to help workers, many in underserved communities, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations. To view the press release, click here

LorrindaSM About Shoes & Actionable Intelligence

I've just returned from getting new shoes on my buggy. It wasn’t all a waste of time though. I met Liz; a big brown-eyed, Cajun (Louisiana born) white woman that is a 2nd degree black belt, an ex-cop and knows more about cars that I could ever hope to… plus she’s a Granny, web designer & PC mechanic. I told her if she’d change “her parts” I’d marry her. We both had a knee slappin’ laugh on that one. I saw this and thought of you… sounds like good grant lingo for some IT solution of other… “organizations must have dynamic, actionable intelligence based on one version of truth.” Don’t you just love that? I do. What good is data if an organization cannot mine it to help make good business decisions?

Ladies shouldn’t have to traipse about at night looking for buggy shoes… or pump gas… or wash cars, but that’s my Daddy’s fault for making me believe that, “real men drive trucks;” and various other tales. Thanks for offering your services for the future. I would totally give you props for being the hero in my distressed damsel scenario. It was very kind and very real-man'ish of you to offer.

I think I’m writing you right now because I’m thinking about you and all you mean and will mean to my world. Thank you for letting me play in yours. …getting back to work now since I just spent 3 non-productive hours (except for getting the needed tires and meeting Liz, of course) at the shoe store.

sign: Lorrinda (while having a LorrindaSM)

My Picture Costing Me Business Opportunities

I got an interesting email about whether my picture (a black woman) was costing me business opportunities.

**************MY REPLY TO ELAINE ********************

Hi Elaine!

My first rule of engagement in life and business is authenticity. If my picture causes someone angst or initiates their reluctance to do business with me, then that's their problem. I shy from types of "political correctness" that would cause me to skirt around the truth.

I usually only want to do business with friendly people, otherwise the relationship may be strained and stressful and I avoid stress whenever possible! Money can really be the root of many evils if it leads or is the only factor in the decision-making process.

My picture is posted because it speaks the truth about who I am; a friendly, sincere, woman of color... and it allows me to define myself vs someone that does not know how wonderful I am doing it for me. [smile] BUT -- my transparency may just be an innate, naturally occurring phenomenon... see lorrinda.com

I like being able to say that my customers and my friends are from many different races and socio-economic backgrounds. For example, I am in the member of Jr. League, BDPA & PMI, and volunteer at a mostly Hispanic Girls & Boys club. I learn so much from each of these groups... and I have so much fun! --if I'm not having fun, I don't want to play. Life is too short for that.

My advice to you is to post your logo or photo from a place of good intend... and all should be well (with your soul and as an added value, your business!). Wishing you every success... and that your valleys be lifted and your mountains moved. I hope this was helpful.

Lorrinda

**************EMAIL FROM ELAINE ********************
Lorinda I am reaching out for some assistance.

I am a woman of color and am seeing help on some issues related to African Americans posting their photo on the web and if this causes any reduction in the leads of contacts received that are actually willing to do business with us - to trust that we know what we are saying and doing.

I had no photo initially -- the discussion on project management certification (my field of knowledge) was rich and involved. I posted my photo and all comments were not responded to, no questions answered, no dialogue except from prior customers. I removed the photo and the dialogue is now back up and highly engaging.

Your comments on this as a person of color would be much appreciated.

My business is coaching individuals to pass the PMP Certification Exam. The need to connect with a face is desirable but I do not do this at all. I have posted this similar question to this group with my photo and no one answered. UM I may post it as a question that a marketing firm is asking to see if people don't mind helping a marketing group as a way of helping themselves.

Thanks for your help - I notice you have your photo posted. Do you have your own business? Do you market only to people of color? The situation / question I pose is most critical for black business owners I use my logo as a photo.

Elaine in Massachusetts

Useless Design

I collect pens like they were artifacts. There's just something about having such a useful tool handy that really peeks my "happy place." Today I picked up a pen to write and it wouldn't. After the usual shaking, starring at the barrel and knocking the point against the desk, it still would not write. Maybe the burning of the tip with some fire would have done the trick, but it was stored upright so it should have just worked... so I through it away.

All of that led me to think about myself and "my design" and I invite you to think about yours. If you were designed to be... let's say a fireman, but you're currently not a fireman, does that mean your "design" was useless? In one sense perhaps, but I like to think of it as "delayed implementation" of a design. We know what makes us happy. If we don't then that is a whole other set of issues, but generally we fully understand the things that bring us joy.

So if you get a moment today, think about what you must have been designed to do in this life. Are you doing it? Do you know what it is but don't know how to get it going? What's in the way? Is it you? ..or was there a "design flaw?" I have to believe that your design (and mine) is perfect in every way and it is our life's work to to fully implement and live our intended purpose.

Being in sync with your purpose is where you and I will be most happy and full of joy. Don't let anyone throw your design away (like I did the pen) just because it isn't perfectly in place. Keep working at it and keep believing in it... it will come. After all, that is what you're designed to do so it must be within the realm of possibility and reality.

I wish you peace and every good thing that is designed just for you! Lorrinda

What I like on TV

I like TV shows that give me "news I can use." Like Google's Marissa Mayer said at a commencement address, "Information used to be scarce and expensive." Now information is in overload (and I am an info junkie!). Having a better life means we have to make better decisions. In order to make better decisions, we need good information. Therefore, I like TV shows that have comprehensive, condensed, relevant, actionable information.

Some Shows I like are:

• Divorce Court (relationships/marriage)
• The Big Idea (entrepreneur/business)
• Suze Orman (financials)
• Clark Howard (consumer)
• Mad Money (markets)
• Numbers (practical application of math)
• What Not to Wear (fashion)
• Daytime in No Time (Daytime TV Recap)
• Infomania (current news, condensed/funny)
• John Stewart Daily Show
• The View
• History Channel
• HGTV
• Biography

I seem to be happiest when I am "in the know" and sharing that knowledge. There are several talk radio shows, online-only shows and podcasts that I really like.

Oprah's Flash Mob Trainers

This is the best example of "Train the Trainer" that I have seen in a long time!

Oprah's staff plotted a flash mob for her 24th Season Kickoff Party. Oprah had no idea and the results were fantastic. A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place and perform an unusual action to surprise onlookers.

On September 8, 2009, this flash mob took over Chicago's Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) to perform one of the biggest dances in the world. It was truly spectatular.

Masterminds award winning director Michael Gracey and top choreographer Ashley Wallin taught 20 professional dancers a routine to the smash hit "I Got a Feelin," which Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas customized just for Oprah. FaceBook and Twitter was used to find viewers that loved to dance. 800 people showed up and were taught by the 20 professionals. The day of the show, there was a rehearsal and those 800 helped 20,000 others learn. Even comedian "Ali" Wentworth, George Stephanopoulos' wife, who is a regular on Oprah's Friday's Live in Chicago, was grooving.

I really like the idea of learning from someone "like me," because if they can do it so can I. Therefore, the process that I recommend for teaching is large group of people something new is to train key people, and have those people train key people, etc. Making this work requires that a process be put in place that is simple, repeatable and measurable. For example, because the mob was standing so close to each other, it was easy to know when you were "out of step" and get back on track.

The "Train the Trainer" model was introduced as a way to teach an organizational committee made up of leadership and various groups to learn how to implement new document management procedures. The procedures were clear, written, peer reviewed steps for keeping the organizations documentation practices standardized and manageable. One person from each group (including leadership) will be taught the procedures by a Document Management Team Lead. The Group Lead becomes as much a subject matter expert (SME) as the Team Lead and will be responsible for teaching the members of their group. With a SME in each group, the person(s) being taught always have a point of contact that has a reasonable number of people to manage so that the SME does not become overwhelmed and ineffective. The SME is responsible for funneling information back to the Team Lead who can take action to do re-training as needed or even lead efforts to modify the written procedures if necessary.

I was thrilled watching the flash mob and give grand kudos to Oprah for beginning her 24th season, but the take-away for me was the fact that viral, train-the-trainer training really can work and pull off some pretty amazing feats!

Lorrinda S. Michieka, MBA Move My Mountain, LLC

Public Schools Need e-Learning Solutions

To prevent lost learning time from H1N1 flu school closings US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan said school systems may need to implement "temporary homeschooling plans" to allow students to complete schoolwork over the phone or the internet. This could be a huge opportunity for e-learning and/or LMS providers.

• News Story
• CDC's Guidance for Schools