Hidden Traps for Life Partners Who Work Together
Neither couple I describe knows the other couple, but their stories are strikingly similar.                                                                               Craig and Warren are both recently retired executives. Craig’s wife, Marcy, owns and operates a website design firm.  Warren

Business Gift Baskets
Business gift baskets are an ideal way to recognize an employee’s talent or to make a good impression on your clients. A company can also customize these gift baskets according to the occasion and budget. Business gift baskets can be filled with chocolates, coffee hampers, cookies, wines, champagne, caviar and so forth. Most gift suppliers also design theme-based gift baskets, like exotic fruit baskets, wine baskets, cabernet and cheese baskets, gourmet baskets, chocolate baskets, sweets and snacks baskets, and so forth.A business house may award business gift baskets to its employees on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, or as a token of appreciation after a promotion or at the time of retirement. Some businesses occasionally send gifts baskets to their associates and clients, either to promote their products or merely as a goodwill gesture.However, one should always follow certain conventions while sending gift baskets to clients, and take into consideration the etiquette and corporate policies followed by the client company to avoid unnecessary hassles. Some companies follow strict policies regarding gifts, wherein a compan

Bindings for Printed Products
How many different ways can you bind printed products? There are numerous ways you can bind manuals, books, calendars, guides, directories, catalogs, full color brochures and all other printed products. Here are a few very basic guidelines:Looseleaf-Printed sheets are loose and have holes drilled in them to put in a binder.Tape Binding-Usually done on demand copy type where it is actually done in line and comes out of the machine finished. This simulates perfect binding but has no grind on the spine and the tape shows.Side Stistching-Staples go through the front of the paper to the back but are stapled on the side of the sheet.Saddle Stitching-The pages are stitched by staples through the spine of the book. The pages have to be done in 4 pg increments and there is a limitation to how many pages can be stitched.Perfect Binding-This is what you usually buy in a book store when you get a soft cover book. It gives you a square spine and the paper is actually ground on the spine and then glued to the cover. This can now be done both conventional and on demand. There are many cousins of perfect binding(layflat,PUR,OTA,smythe sewn, etc.)elf available for interviews 2-3 times a month, and speaking engagements everywhere including Internationally, with multi language translation (that’s another story).

Accept adventures.
Several years ago I was contacted with and opportunity to lead a two-week packaging trade delegation to China. After some serious thought and bouncing it off the WMPKG board members I said OK. They found me, (via the Internet). We were the first of ten professional women’s trade delegations chosen to participate and the “guinea pigs” of the program (but that’s another story too). You may read about the China Trip @ http://www.womeninpackaging.org/ph/w97phchina.html

Common sense prevails.
If nothing else I learned how to use my head. There is simply too much I need to accomplish to agonize over how to get it done. I use The KISS approach (Keep It Simple Stupid). If I can’t find it in a few seconds I’m dead. I deal with way too much information to remember something complex or to spend a lot of time looking up something.

Keep connected.
I always carry business cards. I give them to everyone, on the plane; at the store you name it. After all every one uses/needs packaging and I am continuing to package myself using this method. Make notes on the back of card about the people you meet so you can remember something special about them. I am always amazed when I go somewhere the number of people who don’t have cards, especially students. I always tell them the same thing: invest in a business card on say that you are on the front and say what you need (a job) on the back. (You never know).

Ask for help.
I’m always surprised how many people are really willing to give advice and work with me. I bargain and negotiate everything; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Remember great alliances come from a win-win for both parties and many of my best deals came from simply asking to work together.

Give of yourself.
Help others when you can and stay in touch. The membership benefit programs of WMPKG were created by me to help (initially other women) to find the best jobs, increase their visibility and outreach to colleagues in the field. I got so many calls from men and women for assistance I needed to find a way to help every one in an efficient manner. I try my best to help everyone, but it is simply a matter of my time and resources. You help me I help you in return and you move to the top of my list. Become a mentor. I mentor a dozen or so individuals at any time. Not on a daily basis but when they have a problem they can always reach me. I have also participated in formalized programs as a mentor. This is a good way to interact with people outside your field of expertise and almost every major city has them.

Invest in yourself.
Keep tuned in to all the professional and career development opportunities out there. You should never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend functions at which you can establish a peer group. But be choosy. Don’t just go for the sake of going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you intend to get from your participation and follow up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You have to show up! When you get an opportunity presented to you, do something about it. Make the time.

Never give up on your dream.
I have had several “careers”. I had a very different one before I entered the packaging field. Have passion, for what you do, I’m always excited when I speak about my industry and could and do go for hours when I’m in front of an interested audience. I’m often advised that my talents are wasted in what used to be considered a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? Packaging is in my blood.

Get connected. (Very different from keep connected).
These are the people you want to be with. Create a special circle: I have a speci

something complex or to spend a lot of time looking up something.

Keep connected.
I always carry business cards. I give them to everyone, on the plane; at the store you name it. After all every one uses/needs packaging and I am continuing to package myself using this method. Make notes on the back of card about the people you meet so you can remember something special about them. I am always amazed when I go somewhere the number of people who don’t have cards, especially students. I always tell them the same thing: invest in a business card on say that you are on the front and say what you need (a job) on the back. (You never know).

Ask for help.
I’m always surprised how many people are really willing to give advice and work with me. I bargain and negotiate everything; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Remember great alliances come from a win-win for both parties and many of my best deals came from simply asking to work together.

Give of yourself.
Help others when you can and stay in touch. The membership benefit programs of WMPKG were created by me to help (initially other women) to find the best jobs, increase their visibility and outreach to colleagues in the field. I got so many calls from men and women for assistance I needed to find a way to help every one in an efficient manner. I try my best to help everyone, but it is simply a matter of my time and resources. You help me I help you in return and you move to the top of my list. Become a mentor. I mentor a dozen or so individuals at any time. Not on a daily basis but when they have a problem they can always reach me. I have also participated in formalized programs as a mentor. This is a good way to interact with people outside your field of expertise and almost every major city has them.

Invest in yourself.
Keep tuned in to all the professional and career development opportunities out there. You should never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend functions at which you can establish a peer group. But be choosy. Don’t just go for the sake of going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you intend to get from your participation and follow up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You have to show up! When you get an opportunity presented to you, do something about it. Make the time.

Never give up on your dream.
I have had several “careers”. I had a very different one before I entered the packaging field. Have passion, for what you do, I’m always excited when I speak about my industry and could and do go for hours when I’m in front of an interested audience. I’m often advised that my talents are wasted in what used to be considered a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? Packaging is in my blood.

Get connected. (Very different from keep connected).
These are the people you want to be with. Create a special circle: I have a speci

together.

Give of yourself.
Help others when you can and stay in touch. The membership benefit programs of WMPKG were created by me to help (initially other women) to find the best jobs, increase their visibility and outreach to colleagues in the field. I got so many calls from men and women for assistance I needed to find a way to help every one in an efficient manner. I try my best to help everyone, but it is simply a matter of my time and resources. You help me I help you in return and you move to the top of my list. Become a mentor. I mentor a dozen or so individuals at any time. Not on a daily basis but when they have a problem they can always reach me. I have also participated in formalized programs as a mentor. This is a good way to interact with people outside your field of expertise and almost every major city has them.

Invest in yourself.
Keep tuned in to all the professional and career development opportunities out there. You should never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend functions at which you can establish a peer group. But be choosy. Don’t just go for the sake of going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you intend to get from your participation and follow up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You have to show up! When you get an opportunity presented to you, do something about it. Make the time.

Never give up on your dream.
I have had several “careers”. I had a very different one before I entered the packaging field. Have passion, for what you do, I’m always excited when I speak about my industry and could and do go for hours when I’m in front of an interested audience. I’m often advised that my talents are wasted in what used to be considered a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? Packaging is in my blood.

Get connected. (Very different from keep connected).
These are the people you want to be with. Create a special circle: I have a speci

hould never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend functions at which you can establish a peer group. But be choosy. Don’t just go for the sake of going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you intend to get from your participation and follow up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You have to show up! When you get an opportunity presented to you, do something about it. Make the time.

Never give up on your dream.
I have had several “careers”. I had a very different one before I entered the packaging field. Have passion, for what you do, I’m always excited when I speak about my industry and could and do go for hours when I’m in front of an interested audience. I’m often advised that my talents are wasted in what used to be considered a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? Packaging is in my blood.

Get connected. (Very different from keep connected).
These are the people you want to be with. Create a special circle: I have a special circle of colleagues whom I bounce ideas off of. I don’t contact them all the time but when I need some advice that’s the first place I turn. Many times this has turned into additional opportunities to collaborate on projects also and build some great professional alliances.

You are Unique.
Be your own person. If any thing I am unique in my persona. This didn't happen overnight. In my early career I read all the right books, even “Dress for Success” and was able to extract what was right for me. When the basic blue-black suit and white button down shirt was the mandate, it wasn’t me. That is not my persona. I’m a color person; wear cool funky earrings and dress with what I’m comfortable. I never wear heels, although I always carry a pair with me, despite all the advice to the contrary about women must wear heels. This is my persona, when I’m working I need to be comfortable so I can be and function at my very best.

Outreach to colleagues regularly.
I write frequent personal notes when I see someone in the news. Either I email them or send them a copy of the information. I used to use Post It’s by my handwriting is so atrocious I designed a special card that says "I thought you might find the attached of interest", and has a special place for a hand written note and all my contact information.

Utilize your resources.
Use lateral thinking, my colleague Donna Messer actually named this attribute, I was doing it but didn’t even know it. I barter, negotiate everything. I operate under "quid-pro-quo". Every one likes to be recognized, when you write, call or thank me you go right to the top of my memory book. I believe and helping those who help me. Conversely, when you do something I consider a negative, I wont go out of my way to help you but more importantly I don’t burn my bridges (You never know).

Reputation is paramount.
Your integrity is critical. Don’t stab people in the back. If you don’t like something and can’t address it personally do what I do and move that person to the bottom of the list, but not gone (You never know) Respect other people too. Just because they don't have a fancy title after their name doesn't mean they are not of import. I always make it a point of listening to every ones opinion

Stay informed and current in your field.
I read a dozen of “packaging” magazines a week and am on countless email packaging news lists. Become more involved in you industry associations. I myself, am professional association junkie, when could find what needed with the existing association, I created own. Now I’m not advocating everyone to do this but it is important to participate within your industry groups. This includes going to trade shows. You gotta be there!

Economy is my middle name.
I have developed all kinds of business tools and short cuts to help handle the workload. I get hundreds of email inquiries a week. I use auto responders, set up master email lists and use a fax broadcast service. I try not to spend time on the phone; email is my communication tool of choice. I'm always trying to become more efficient with my resources.

Learn to live with out being liked but respected.
In my position I have to make some very tough decisions every day. Many times people are not happy with the outcome. I must remind myself constantly that it’s just business and not personal. (I have feelings too). When I founded Women in Packaging I was attributed with many not so complimentary descriptions but I didn't let it stop me and now I am famous and those individuals saying those things are not. Never respond when you are angry or upset. This is a personal favorite. I have learned though the years to always wait a day before responding to something that upsets me; I’m a very frank, and honest person (The word blunt has been used to describe me more than