By Dean Correia – Correia Security Resources

We live in the “I” generation – Internet, iPad, iPhone, instant gratification, immediate…….It’s often a challenge to unplug and have balance due to the frenetic pace at which most of us operate. The prevalence of social media and portal devices can lead to miscommunication online that affects us personally and professionally. Therefore, here are some of my tips and tricks to reduce these embarrassing and damaging situations online:

• Challenge yourself – does the message really need to be sent now? Begin to craft the message and then place it in your draft folder and look at sending it tomorrow. This will also help remove any emotion that may be influencing your response.
• You are your brand. Are those posts and pictures enhancing our damaging your clients’ impression of you? Clients will perform online research as part of their due diligence before committing to work with you.
• Communication is 93% non-verbal. Less is better – brief, blunt messages will often get your point across most effectively. Would you want that message or picture posted on the 6 O’clock news?
• “Link In” and “Friend” only those that you know. Despite utilizing the various security functions of each of the well know social media sites, access can often be gained to your site by people that you don’t know.
• You can’t take it back. Despite the fact that you may delete the post or picture, you have no way of knowing what your network has done with the message before your deletion of it. When warranted, law enforcement can access your social media site for investigative purposes.
• Change your passwords quarterly. Always log off of your social media sites when not in use.
• Talk about your vacation on social media after you return. Vacation, weddings, funerals are prime times for home burglaries.

As with so many other things, the Internet can be used as a tremendous business building tool enabling us all to enhance our personal and professional reputation.

Just finished up the creative for new client Janet Blunt – creator of Photo Peace.

When I first spoke to her about her business I knew right away it would be a success! I often find myself thinking about all the photos I have on my computer, my camera and phone and get STRESSED OUT at the thought of losing them. Bottom line if they are not printed and organized we all stand the risk losing those precious moments.

Take a look at Photo Peace and give Janet a call – she can take all the worry away by doing it for you.

About Janet:

I’ve always believed that while we can’t stop our kids from growing up, we can make the most of every moment we spend together. Photos have a magical way of helping us do that. And because of this, the digital images and prints that represent those special moments grow more and more valuable as time goes by.

It’s my hope that our mission to help others “keep, protect, and share” their photos will empower women like you and me to savour and enjoy our memories for years to come! I invite you to get involved in the discussion and to reach out for help as you need it. We’re here to serve, encourage and inspire you in this important area of your life.

I recently had the pleasure of donating my design services to Food For Life. I designed their 2012 Annual Report.

About Food For Life

Food for Life has grown into the largest food recovery program in Halton Region bringing fresh and nutritious food to those in need.

Food for Life started from very modest beginnings in 1995 when an Oakville resident, George Bagaco, recognized how many people were in need of fresh, nutritious food. George would stop at a bakery on his way home from work and fill his trunk with baked goods. He distributed the surplus goods to needy families in his neighborhood. His program grew as he began to deliver to other neighbourhoods, with the support of the Rotary Clubs, which donated a vehicle, and Kerr Street Ministries, which provided warehouse space. Food for Life hired its first staff members: a driver for the delivery van, and a part-time Executive Director to help run the organization.

Food for Life Canada was officially incorporated in 2003 as a registered charitable organization. This date also marked the beginning of a period of tremendous growth. By this time, Food for Life had already established a number of partnerships with local social service agencies, to whom they would deliver food on a weekly basis. These agencies, who had previously had to purchase all their food, were able to focus more of their resources on their primary service. Food for Life continued to expand their network of partner agencies to over 30.

In 2006, Food for Life initiated a collaborative process with many of these agencies and other food banks in the Region to identify how to better work together to collect and deliver even more food throughout the Region. The end result was the creation of a new Food for Life program called ReFresh Foods, which was specifically focused on collecting large volumes of food from the corporate food sector (wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers). Through a generous donation from the Sprott Foundation, ReFresh Foods acquired its own pick-up and delivery vehicle – a hybrid truck, the first of its kind to be used by a charity in Canada.

Kiwibcreative is happy to be donating our graphic expertise to the third Annual Hope And The City Event to raise money for Women’s Cancers. Along with AOM Print we will producing the programs and promotional materials.

This years Girls Night Out will take place at IVY Bar and Kitchen in Burlington on August 22.

Click here to buy your tickets >>

Preview photos from the last 2 years >>

I was recently involved in the web re-design of Mon Petit Bijou. We needed great photography of women wearing the designs so ofcourse I contacted Tara West.

We have worked together on many jobs and I know that with very little instruction she will give me exactly what I need and quickly (because every job is a rush :  ).

The photos turned out great considering none of the “models” were professional by any means (all friends of mine).

I look forward to working together again soon.

(Excerpt from a Kiwibcreative Client – Sue McNenly Designs)

This is a long post. Settle in with a glass of wine or a Caesar (no, you silly Americans, the DRINK, not the SALAD!).

I think by now everyone knows that a website is imperative in this day and age. That is the easy decision…whether to have one or not. The hard decision is how to go about doing it.

I realize that cost is an issue and many people can figure this stuff out on their own, but I truly believe that you will get your money back in spades using a professional.

Why: I don’t care who you are…your site is going to look more professional if you have a professional do it.

Look at it this way: You are a professional (we all like to think!) at whatever you do, enough so that you need a web site. Do you think that someone’s first metal clay or art project is going to turn out as well as yours, after you’ve taken all the time to learn and perfect your skill? Ditto for a web designer. They are great at what they do because THAT’S WHAT THEY DO!!

I am actually quite good at design and figuring out how to handle computer software, but to be really proficient at it, and to be able to be at the level of a professional, It would require a ton of training. Yes, I could muddle through, but it would be apparent that I muddled through. If I’m ruffling your feathers by saying this, sorry, but don’t read my posts if you don’t want to be ruffled…I’m a ruffler(?) at heart:)

That said, you must think hard about the right designer. Mine is a Rock Star and has more style in her pinky than most of us could ever hope for. I was so worried about the cost, but I was floored when she told me. She was far less expensive than others I had quotes from, and had by far the most professional looking stuff. Check out my site by clicking on the eyes and you’ll see what I mean.

Read the rest of this post….