Why Work from Home?Written by Linda McGrory
Have you noticed? There is a lot of publicity these days about working from home - increasing numbers of people are dreaming of leaving rat race; TV programmes are made showing families leaving city and moving to a rural retreat; and more and more employers are offering their staff opportunity to work at least part of their working week from home. Even security of employment is no longer assured. Then add to this explosion of Internet businesses that can be worked from home. No wonder for some people temptation to jump straight in and 'do their own thing' from home is irresistible.But what are problems or drawbacks that have to be considered before making this decision? And what are rewards and benefits that can be gained? The plus points of course are well documented: no daily commute, no having to dress for office, no difficult bosses, more time with family. From my own point of view, because of a health problem, I could no longer go out to work so decision was made for me. But I had to think long and hard about how to make it work, and to find ways to overcome problems I would encounter. So, what are these problems? ·there is no longer security of a pay cheque at end of every month: if you don't work, you don't earn any money; ·the necessity of having a separate office space - could you manage with kids dropping ice-cream on your paperwork, for instance? ·the distractions of household chores during your work time: I'll just get that pot of soup made now while I wait for that document to print out! ·the distractions of not working: phone calls to friends, reading newspaper, just going to get another biscuit, or even going back to bed! ·knowing when to stop working: or you could just become a bore; ·isolation: no colleagues to bounce ideas off, or gossip with; ·and having to provide your own pension and insurance; sorting out your taxes; and keeping accounts.
| | 10 Power Tips for Presentations with Computer Projection Written by George Torok
When was last time you sat through a terrible presentation using computer projection? When was last time you gave one? If you want to avoid disaster and give your career a boost then apply these ten tips next time you present with computer projector. And if you want to do a friend a favour then slide them a copy of these tips before their next presentation. The biggest mistake is to believe that cool graphics will make up for your lack of presentation skills. If you can not cook - it does not matter how good stove is. Use these tips to develop your presentation skills and work with tools. The computer is only a tool. You are presenter. When you present with multi-media you are more than a performer. You are a producer. Be aware and stay in control of what you and your technology are doing to audience. 1. Stand on left side as audience sees you. Because we read from left to right your audience can look at you then follow your gesture to screen. Their eyes are comfortably moving left to right, they read text then they return to you. If you stood on right side their eyes have to make too many movements to read slides and watch you. If you present using Hebrew, (read right to left), stand on right side of screen. If you present using old Chinese, (top to bottom), climb on top of screen, (just kidding). 2. You are show. Be heard and be seen. Stand away from computer and in light. Use a remote mouse to get away from computer. Too many people hide in dark behind laptop. Arrange lighting in room so that you are in light while screen is dark. You might need to unscrew some of ceiling lights to get it right. 3. Turn off screen savers on your computer - any that are part of Windows software - plus one that comes with laptop. It is embarrassing for you to be talking about important points you thought were on screen while they are looking at flying toasters or Bart Simpson. It is even worse when your energy saver kicks in and shuts it all down. Remember to adjust this as well.
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