Friday, January 20, 2006

Image does make a difference - quick tip

When making a first impression, keep in mind the following which could affect your outcome:
If you appear to be of the same status, you are given further opportunity to interact; If you appear to be of higher status, then you are considered to be a great contact; If you appear to be of lower status, then you might be dismissed. www.theimagestudios.com

posted by The Office Grapevine at 12:23 PM 0 comments  

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Good news for those being paid for mileage...

Reminder:
The IRS has announced that the new standard mileage rate for 2006, effective January 1, 2006, will be 44.5 cents a mile.

This is 4 cents per mile higher than the 2005 rate, and 4 cents per mile ~lower~ than the emergency increase for the last four months of 2005. For more detailed information, check out the announcement on their website at http://www.irs.gov .

posted by The Office Grapevine at 11:15 AM 0 comments  

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Best Business Books from 2005

BUSINESS BOOKS

10 business books stand out from the pack

Of the books reviewed in Business Monday this year, 10 left a lasting impression and merit a second look.

BY RICHARD PACHTER
rpachter@MiamiHerald.com

Among the dozens of books in this space, here are those that I found to be of lasting value for a variety of reasons. I'm sure I missed several good ones (Freakonomics, anyone?), but please feel free to e-mail me if you agree, disagree or have your own list of favorites.

Many of these titles are also available as audio books, tapes and e-books.

Following each title is the date it was originally reviewed in Business Monday. Complete reviews of each book are online at http://www.wordsonwords.com/.

Revolution in the Valley. The Insanely Great Story of How the Mac Was Made. Andy Hertzfeld. O'Reilly. 320 pages. $24.95. (Feb. 6)

The truly amazing tale of how the soul became a part of the machine, told by the geeks, misfits and artists who tried to change the world -- and succeeded. Elegantly designed, as is fitting.

blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Malcolm Gladwell. Little, Brown and Co. 288 Pages. $25.95. (Feb. 21)

First impressions matter. Gladwell's entertaining and pithy monograph also shows how we're probably much smarter than we think we are, especially when we don't think too much about it.

A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age. Daniel H. Pink. Riverhead Books. 272 pages. $24.95. (May 9)

An audaciously optimistic glimpse into a possible future in which America can still lead the world, but only if we embrace the power of both sides of our brains.

Meet You in Hell: Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and the Bitter Partnership That Transformed America. Les Standiford. Crown. 336 pages. $24.95. (May 23)

A master storyteller recounts a pivotal chapter of American history as exciting and page-turning as a great novel.

Think Big, Act Small: How America's Best Performing Companies Keep the Start-up Spirit Alive. Jason Jennings. Portfolio. 220 pages. $24. (July 4)

How some ''under-the-radar'' businesses retain their mobility and agility while growing in size, strength and profitability.

Darknet: Hollywood's War Against the Digital Generation. J.D. Lasica. Wiley. 308 pages. $25.95. (July 11)

Why entrenched economic interests continually resist innovation and disruptive technology while hastening their self-inflicted extinction.

Tom Peters Essentials (four volumes: Design, Leadership, Talent and Trends). Tom Peters. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 160 pages (each). $15 (each). (July 18)

An intelligent redesign and redaction of his previous bold but dizzying Re-Imagine results in four specific and useful texts, once again demonstrating why Tom Peters is at least two steps ahead of everyone else.

The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture. John Battelle. Portfolio. 311 pages. $25.95. (Sept. 26)

Battelle's absorbing narrative reveals the birth of the real New Economy, and why we'll continue to Google for the foreseeable future.

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists. Neil Strauss. Regan Books. 464 pages. $29.95. (Nov. 14)

''Authenticity is the most seductive pose of all,'' and other lessons in sales, marketing, promotion and passion are conveyed in this memoir that serves as a parable more powerful than rodent bait.

The Untied States of America. Polarization, Fracturing and Our Future. Juan Enriquez. Crown. 368 pages. $24.95. (Dec. 12)

Why socioeconomic forces -- not ''Red'' or ''Blue'' divisions -- may accelerate the unraveling of America and how such a breakup can be avoided by dealing with the differences and not ignoring them. Enriquez's dazzling work may be the smartest business book of the decade.

And for the music lovers among you, the album of the year: Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. Blue Note.

To receive business book reviews by e-mail or join the Business Monday Book Club, e-mail Richard Pachter at rpachter@MiamiHerald.com. For more business book columns by Richard Pachter, click here.

posted by The Office Grapevine at 4:06 PM 0 comments  

Friday, January 13, 2006

Chicago's Smoking Ban policy

Smoking Ban Summary
January 2006

About the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance

A new Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance was passed by the Chicago City Council in December 2005. It replaces current law, passed in 1988, which generally requires employers to provide non-smoking areas in their workplaces. The new law is intended to protect t he health of patrons and workers against the dangers of tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is known to cause cancer and heart disease, and “safe” levels of secondhand smoke have not been identified.
For more information visit the City's web site at www.cityofchicago.org.
City of Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 7-32 (Clean Indoor Air Ordinance)

The new Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance regulates smoking in and near the entrance to all public buildings and enclosed workplaces and facilities. It establishes an immediate prohibition on smoking in specified public facilities; provides an opportunity for owners of restaurants with bar areas and owners of bar/taverns to allow smoking until July 1, 2008; and exempts exclusively private residences, some hotel and motel sleeping rooms, retail tobacco stores and certain private clubs or lodges from regulation.

As of January 16, 2006 smoking is prohibited in:
  • All enclosed workplaces;
  • All restaurants without a bar area;
  • All restaurant areas more than 15 feet from the bar counter;
  • Public places including government buildings, convention facilities, laundromats, public transport ation facilities and shopping malls;
  • Public restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways and other common use areas in public buildings, apartment buildings and condominium buildings;
  • Within 15 feet of the entrance to enclosed public places;
  • Recreational areas including enclosed sports arenas, stadiums, swimming pools, ice and roller rinks, arcades and bowling alleys; and
  • City government vehicles.

Smoking may be permitted in the following establishments until July 1, 2008:

  • Restaurants with Bar Areas
  • Restaurants that serve alcohol and decide to allow smoking until July 1, 2008 will define the area where smoking is permitted and indicate the designated location with appropriate signs. Smoking is permitted only within 15 feet of the bar counter. Restaurants that do not have a bar area will not be able to permit smoking effective January 16, 2006.
  • All Bars and Taverns
  • Bars and taverns that decide to allow smoking until July 1, 2008 should post signs informing patrons that they permit smoking.

What areas are exempt from regulation under the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance?

Private Residences. Smoking is not prohibited in private residences unless they are used as a licensed childcare, adult care facility, health care facility, or a home based business of any kind that is open to the public.

Hotel and Motel Sleeping Rooms. Smoking is permitted in hotel and motel sleeping rooms that are rented to guests and are designated as smoking rooms. However, not more than twenty five percent (25%) of the rooms rented to guests in a hotel or motel may be designated as smoking rooms.

Retail Tobacco Stores. Smoking is permitted in retail tobacco stores as long as the smoke from the store does not infiltrate into areas where smoking is prohibited

Private Clubs and Lodges. Private clubs and lodges, provided that the club or lodge is a not-for-profit associat ion that has been in active and continuous existence for at least three years and has a membership of more than 50 bona fide members who pay membership dues on an annual or other periodic basis.

Smoking is also not regulated by this ordinance in unenclosed, outdoor areas that are at least 15 feet away from the entrance to an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.

Who will be enforcing the ordinance?
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has primary responsibility for enforcement. The Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA) will work along with CDPH to ensure that licensed businesses comply with the requirements, and that bars, taverns, restaurants and restaurants with bar areas are correctly designated.
The Chicago Police Department is fully informed of the ordinance, and as with other ordinances, the Police have authority to write tickets to violators if necessary. However, because CDPH is principally responsible for enforcement, the public is advised not to call upon the Police, but to call 311 or email us< /A> to register complaints with the Health Department about violations of the ordinance. Individuals who are smoking in areas prohibited by the ordinance are guilty of an infraction punishable by fines of up to $100.

Business owners, operators and managers are expected to require compliance by their patrons, tenants and visitors. However, if any person becomes unruly and refuses to comply with the ordinance after once being informed by management, the business should consider contacting the Chicago Police Department rather than risk escalating the confrontation.
How will the City enforce the ordinance?
The Department of Public Health and the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing will monitor compliance with the ordinance during routine inspections.
The City will also respond to complaints made to 311. Businesses will be notified of complaints, but after the third complaint, the Department of Public Health will send inspectors to investigate the establishment.

Will the City permit smoking if an establishment installs ventilation and air filtration technology?
No. The ordinance authorizes the Departments of Public Health and Environment to promulgate regulations specifying and validating air cleaning technologies, when and if available. Those departments have confirmed that no currently available technology can meet the performance standards specified in the ordinance. The City will establish regulations for review of these technologies when and if a national accredited body or government agency (ASHRAE, EPA, NIOSH) revises their current position regarding use of technology for removal of environmental tobacco smoke.
Restaurant/Bar/Tavern Owner Questions:
1. What are restaurants, taverns and bars being asked to do now?
Restaurants without Bar Areas:Restaurants that do not have a bar area are subject to the smoking ban effective January 16, 2006. They must post "No Smoking" signs (language available from this website) and must inform persons who are violating the ordinance that they cannot smoke. Ashtrays should not be present or available in the restaurant. The owners and operators of the restaurant are expected to make every reasonable effort to comply with the ordinance, including asking their patrons to comply, refusing to serve those who do not comply and/or asking those who refuse to comply to leave the establishment.
Restaurants with Bar Areas:Restaurants that serve alcohol and decide not to go smoke-free at this time must notify the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA) that their establishment is a "Restaurant with a Bar Area." (Owners of Restaurants with Bar Areas may only permit smoking within 15 feet of their bar counter.)Owners of Restaurants with Bar Areas should define the area where smoking is permitted and indicate the designated location with appropriate signs. They should also post "No Smoking" signs for the remainder of the restaurant. To avoid confusion, a seating chart of the smoking and nonsmoking areas should be posted. Ashtrays should not be present or available in areas of the restaurant where smoking is not permitted.Owners should make every reasonable effort to ensure that their patrons adhere to the ordinance by asking them to comply, by refusing to serve those who do not comply and/or by asking those who refuse to comply to leave the establishment.
Bar/Taverns:Bars and taverns that decide not to go smoke-free at this time must notify the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA) that their establishment is a "Bar/Tavern". (Bar/Taverns, defined as establishments that derive 65% or more of their revenue from the sale of alcohol, are exempt from the prohibitions of the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance until July 1, 2008.)Owners of such Bar/Taverns should post signs informing patrons that they have declared the establishment to be a Bar/Tavern and that they permit smoking.

2. What is the process to declare my business a smoking establishment?
Only businesses that meet the criteria for "Restaurant with Bar Area," "Bars/Taverns," and "Exempt Businesses" can permit smoking in their establishments. Such businesses must complete a Smoking Declaration Form, which is available online, and submit it to the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing by Monday, February 13, 2006. But unless a sign is posted in the business on January 16, 2006, it will be presumed that the establishment is smoke-free until the business files the declaration with the City of Chicago.
Please be advised that the declaration must be consistent with the establishment's existing business license filed with the City of Chicago. Lack of consistency may jeopardize the establishment's existing business license. For example, an establishment w ith an incidental liquor license that claims it is a bar or tavern for smoking purposes could jeopardize its license. The City has the right to review an establishment's books and records to confirm its status.

3. I am a restaurant owner and have already declared my smoking policy to the City of Chicago. Do I need to send in additional paperwork?
Although restaurant owners have been required to declare themselves as a Category 1 or Category 2 establishment since 1988, these categories no longer apply.
Accordingly, even if you own a restaurant and have declarations currently on file, you need to file the new Smoking Declaration Form with the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing if 1) you are a restaurant with a bar area, 2) you derive less than 65% of your gross proceeds from the sale of alcohol, and 3) you choose to allow smoking in your establishment, within 15 feet of the bar counter.

4. May I permit smoking in my establishment's outdoor patio, sidewalk café, or roof top?
If you permit smoking within your restaurant or bar/tav ern (in accordance with the ordinance) and you operate an adjoining outdoor venue (patio, sidewalk café or roof top), you may also permit smoking in the outdoor venue.
If smoking is prohibited inside the establishment or if you do not permit smoking inside the establishment, then smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of the entrance. You may permit smoking in the area of the patio, sidewalk café or rooftop that is more than 15 feet from the entrance.

5. What should the "No Smoking" and "Smoking Permitted" signs posted in my establishment say?
Suggested language for signage is available on the City of Chicago's website at www.cityofchicago.org/health.

6. Can I be fined if customers are smoking in my establishment violation of the ordinance?
Yes, you can be fined. If you own, manage, operate or otherwise control a public place or place of employment and you fail to comply with the requirements of the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance you are guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of $100 for the first offense and subsequent fines of as much as $2,500. Repeated violations may also lead to the suspension or revocation of permits and licenses.
The City anticipates, however, that business owners and operators and building owners and managers will comply with the requirements of the ordinance, especially when given notice by the City of citizen complaints. Inspectors from the Departments of Public Health and Business Affairs and Licensing also expect that owne rs, operators and managers will change their practices to conform to the law, thereby minimizing the need to issue tickets.

Info for Patrons About the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance

1. I am at a restaurant and someone is smoking. What should I do?
First ask the manager whether the establishment is a restaurant or a bar/tavern. Eligibl e business establishments that choose to permit smoking should have a posted notice indicating whether it is a "Restaurant with a Bar Area" or a "Bar/Tavern."
Bar/Taverns:Although some Bar/Taverns serve food, they are exempt from the smoking prohibitions of the ordinance until July 2008. "Bar/Taverns" are defined by the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance as establishments that derive 65% or more of their gross proceeds from the sale of alcohol. If you believe that the establishment may be falsely claiming the status of "Bar/Tavern" in order to permit smoking in a restaurant, call 311 or email us t o register a complaint.
Restaurants with Bar Areas:Restaurants with bar areas are, until July 2008, allowed to permit smoking within 15 feet of the bar counter. If smoking is occurring in a "Restaurant with a Bar Area" and the smokers are more than 15 feet from the bar counter, notify the restaurant manager first.If the issue is not resolved after talking to the manager, call 311 or email us to register a complaint.
Restaurants:The Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance prohibits smo king in "Restaurants" without bar areas. If smoking is occurring in such a "Restaurant" notify the restaurant manager first. If the issue is not resolved after talking to the manager, call 311 or email us to register a complaint.

2. People are smoking at the entry to the office building where I work. What should I do?
Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance to an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited, including office buildings.
Notify the building management first. If the issue is not resolved after talking to the manager, call 311 or email us to register a complaint.

3. People are smoking at the entry to the apartment building (condominium building) where I live or visit. What should I do?
Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of an entrance to any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited. While smoking in private residences is exempt from the prohibitions of the ordinance, smoking in, and within 15 feet of the entrance to, lobbies, reception areas, hallways or other common use areas of apartment and condominium buildings is prohibited. Notify the building management (property manager or condominium association) first. If the issue is not resolved after talking to the manager, call 311 or email us to register a complaint.

4. Is smoking permitted in Outdoor Patios, Sidewalk Cafes, and Roof Tops?
If the restaurant or bar/tavern operating the outdoor venue permits smoking inside (in accordance with the ordinance), then the establishment may also permit smoking in the outdoor venue. If smoking is not permitted inside the establishment then smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of the entrance. The owner may permit smoking in the area of the patio, sidewalk café or rooftop that is more than 15 feet from the entrance.

5. Can I be fine d for smoking in areas where it is now prohibited under the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance?
Yes, you can be fined. Individuals who are smoking in areas prohibited by the ordinance are guilty of an infraction punishable by fines of up to $100. The City anticipates, however, that residents, visitors and patrons of business establishments (including restaurants and bars) will comply with the requirements of the ordinance either because they see the posted signs or because they are asked by the responsible business owners and managers not to smoke. City enforcement agents from the Departments of Public Health, Business Affairs and Licensing, and the Chicago Police Department, also expect that smokers will comply when informed that they are smoking in an area where smoking is prohibited.

Info for Building Managers About the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance

1. People are smoking at the entry to my building. What should I do?
Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance to an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited, including the entrance to public buildings.
Further, while smoking in private residences is exempt from the prohibitions of the ordinance, smoking within 15 feet of the entrance to lobbies, receptions areas, hallways or other common use areas of apartment and condominium buildings is also prohibited.
The owners, operators and building and facilities governed by the Chicago Clean Indoor Air ordinance are expected to make every reasonable effort to comply with the ordinance and to ensure that their tenants, clientele and other persons comply by asking them not to smoke within 15 feet of the entrances. Ashtrays should not be available at or within 15 feet of the entrance and it may be appropriate and reasonable to post signage advising that smoking within 15 feet of the entrance is in violation of the law.

2. What should the "No Smoking" and "Smoking Permitted" signs posted in my establishment say?
Suggested language for signage is available on the City of Chicago's website at www.cityofchicago.org/health.

posted by The Office Grapevine at 2:27 PM 0 comments  

Short and sweet....

Word of the Day for Friday January 13, 2006

sesquipedalian \ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yuhn\, adjective:
1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables.

noun:
A long word.

posted by The Office Grapevine at 10:39 AM 0 comments  

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Let your voice be heard

Over the past few months, thousands of fellow Americans submitted more than 22,000 ideas for a better America.

Now it's up to you, me, and the entire country to decide which ideas are best -- and which idea should win $100,000 on February 1.

Our votes will decide the winning ideas, so follow this link to cast your online ballot:

http://www.SinceSlicedBread.com

I hope you'll join me in helping to make this a truly national vote:

http://www.SinceSlicedBread.com

Laura Bruzas, editorHealthy Dining Chicago newsletter

posted by The Office Grapevine at 2:28 PM 0 comments  

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Valuable Article about CRM

This article highlights the use of CRM (Customer Relationship Managment) and gives some basic ideas about when and why CRM is a great resource for building business.

The Office Grapevine can help you with your CRM needs, just contact us.

posted by The Office Grapevine at 5:40 PM 0 comments  

Trivia

This is very interesting......

1958 - A Christmas Carol

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans,and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today I found out, thanks to the Internet.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.

Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

  • The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
  • The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
  • The three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
  • The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew,Mark, Luke and John.
  • The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
  • The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
  • The seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
  • The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes (the pronouncements in the Sermon on the Mount, which begin"Blessed are the poor in spirit": Matt. 5:3-12).
  • The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,Gentleness,and Self Control.
  • The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
  • The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol . . .

posted by The Office Grapevine at 2:17 PM 0 comments  

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Workers increasingly able to get job done at home

Some interesting news for all . . .

As technology allows more people to work from home, the number of employees who have done their jobs from home at least one day a month has more than doubled from the year 2000 to 82.5 million in 2005, according to technology research firm Gartner. The figure is expected to increase to more than 100 million by 2008. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (12/28)

posted by The Office Grapevine at 3:39 PM 0 comments  

Today's Helpful Hint

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Have you ever been in Windows Explorer and just wanted to rename a file - QUICKLY and EASILY? Well you can actually. Simply click the file name ONCE so it is highlighted in blue. Hit the F2 button on your keyboard. You can retype the filename, hit ENTER and presto, you did it in under 2 minutes.

I'm an avid keyboard user so if there are any keyboard shortcuts you might be looking for to help you navigate your system faster, just let me know.

Cheers~

posted by The Office Grapevine at 3:08 PM 0 comments