Solitude—The Best Solution For Creativity
Many of us are familiar with brainstorming ideas in groups. In work environments, brainstorming is often used to come up with solutions to a problem, create a process, etc. While this form of creativity is popular, it may not be the most effective method.
According to, “Group Thinking Clouds Creativity,” an article in the August 2007, issue of Prevention magazine, “a study done by Indiana University researchers found that groups produce fewer and less creative answers. When you work alone, your mind stays open to more unusual ideas.”
In my experience, I find this to be true. I am much more creative when I’m alone, so my mind can wander with more time to think. A better idea might be to invite individuals to brainstorm on their own, in their own time frame. A group session at a later date can then be set up to discuss everyones ideas and thoughts.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Business on July 12th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Recipe: Spinach & Cheese Dip
Here’s another Kraft recipe that is great for those summer parties at the lake, or on your patio. It is easy to prepare and tastes great.
Spinach & Cheese Dip
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Makes: 3 cups or 24 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup KRAFT Natural Italian* Cheese Crumbles
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
BEAT: cream cheese, mayo and half of the onions in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add spinach; mix until just blended.
STIR: in cheese crumbles and peppers; cover.
REFRIGERATE: at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with remaining onions just before serving. 
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on July 11th, 2007 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Improve Your Listening Skills To Boost Sales
Have you ever tuned someone out, while they are speaking to you? I know I’m guilty of it from time to time. It is easy to tune people out, when you are more interested in something else, are bored with a conversation, or just distracted with other thoughts going on in your head. Listening is a valuable skill, which we could all improve on.
Listening is especially important in Sales. Customers and potential prospects want to know that you are attentive to their needs and concerns and want to be heard. I recently read, “Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Twelve ways to improve your listening skills and increase your bottom-line results,” an article found in the April 2007 issue, of Selling Power magazine that listed twelve tips to help increase your listening skills, which I felt were valuable. They are listed below:
- Think Before You speak: Let the prospect completely finish before blurting out your thought, or response.
- Silence Is A Sales Ally: Use silence to control the flow of the conversation and allow for feedback from the prospect.
- Interruptions Discourage Listening: Let the prospect be heard and make their point, before jumping in with a response.
- Concentrate On The Topic Under Discussion: Make every effort possible to concentrate on the prospect and what they are saying, without allowing your mind to wander.
- Don’t Be Distracted: When making a presentation to more than one person, make sure you look and turn to the person that is speaking at that moment.
- Ask For Details: Ask for explanations, or definitions on anything that you are unclear on.
- Listen For Subtleties: Do not jump to conclusions before you hear the whole story.
- Take Notes: Make sure you have a pen and paper and jot down notes on anything that is detailed, or you may not understand fully.
- Listen And Feel What The Prospect Is Telling You: Focus on the message, as well as the way it is being conveyed to you.
- Concentrate On Listening To One Topic At A Time: Try to concentrate on the topic being discussed at hand. Jumping from one topic to the next can be distracting to the prospect.
- Listen To Everything—Even The Details You May Not Want To Hear: Listen to any problems, then repeat what you’ve heard before trying to deal with the issue.
- Be Patient: Avoid pencil, or finger tapping. They are distracting and can give the prospect the sense that you are not listening to them.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Business on July 10th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Learning Links—07/09/07
In our showroom, the question, “Will my granite countertops stain?,” comes up on occassion. Staining of granite countertops is rare because of the hardness of the material. There are instances however, where it can occur. (e.g. When a consumer leaves a bottle of cooking oil on their granite countertop for several days that is leaking and has chosen a more porous stone.)
Over the years, we have taken a few calls similar to this. The customer is usually in a panic and isn’t quite sure what to do. Our response is always, there is no need to panic. Most stains are removeable. The key is to find out what caused the stain and go from there.
If you would like some more information on how to remove some specific stains, please check out the following links, including one from the MIA, Marble Institute of America, or give us a call. We’d be happy to assist you.
http://www.marble-institute.com/consumerresources/stains.cfm
http://www.nsraweb.com/articles-30/removing-tomato-sauce-stain-marble-granite-6221.html
http://www.nsraweb.com/articles-30/removing-candy-stain-marble-granite-6220.html
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite, Learning Links on July 9th, 2007 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Finishing Touches
There are many decisions that need to made when selecting granite countertops for your home, from color, to edge selection. Another choice that comes with selecting granite is, the finish. Following are some things to keep in mind when selecting different finishes:
Polished: A high gloss, mirror finish that allows you to see the true characteristics of the stone in a much deeper/richer color. This is by far the most popular of all of the finishes available, also the easiest to maintain. When used for flooring, a polished finish will be very slippery when wet.
Honed: A matte finish look that is less deep/rich in coloring than the polished finish. Honed granite requires more maintenance than polished granite and also is more porous. A honed finish is also more susceptible to staining and scratching. It can be beneficial in an area where it might become slippery (i.e. flooring, stairs, tub surround, etc.).
Antiqued/Thermal: A rough textured finish, often times used in exterior applications. Often this type of finish is used on fireplace surrounds, or flooring applications. The rough texture however, may make it more difficult to clean and maintain than a polished finish.
I hope this helps in your selection process. Please feel free to call PGC if you have additional questions regarding finish options.
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Business, Company, Granite on July 5th, 2007 by Angie | | 0 Comments
