Volume 25, Number 2 - Jan.

6, 2012
The Industry Where
The American Dream
Still Thrives - Page 7
Page 2
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Page 3
The Industry Where
The American Dream
Still Thrives - Page 7
Page 4
Page 5
Planning For The Inevitable: Start Young And Be Prepared
(ARA) - Ashley, a vibrant, active 37-year-old lawyer,
mother of three young children and part-time Pilates in-
structor has a to-do list longer than her combined client
case load. When she learned that her next-door neighbor,
a mother of four children who pal around with her kids,
had terminal cancer, her mind went in many directions.
How could she help? What should she say? How will the
children respond? How was her friend handling this cri-
sis? But one thought intruded regularly into her daily rou-
tine - if this happened to her, how would she and her fam-
ily handle the impending end to her life? She was clueless
on how to approach the subject, but day by day, as she
realized the fragility of life, she became more convinced
that a conversation was critical regarding her wishes and
her husbands.
This is both an ordinary and an unusual scenario. Ordi-
nary because few people younger than 40 have thoughts
of planning for dying. Unusual because Ashley didnt dis-
miss her concerns. Rather, she wanted to tackle the issue
and get to-do items done.
Hospice of the Western Reserve recognizes the courage
it takes to approach ones end of life. As one of the coun-
trys best-known hospice and palliative care providers, the
agency offers this kind of advice for all ages in a booklet
called Courage in Conversation: A Personal Guide.
The guide tackles not only the care you want in the event
that you are no longer able to speak or think for yourself,
but also how to begin the discussion - as early in your
adulthood as possible. By talking about what you want,
you are exhibiting the courage to confront one of lifes
most diffcult moments - at a time when you are thinking
clearly. There are a few points to consider as you begin
this process:
Page 6
Page 7
1. Have a plan as to how you will share your wishes.
Will you have things written down? With whom will
you be talking?
2. Create an environment that is conducive to listening.
It is usually helpful to sit down with your loved ones
and try to be at the same eye level.
3. Share the information in small segments. Avoid apol-
ogizing for the information you are sharing. These are
your wishes for one of lifes most important moments.
4. Allow time for your loved ones to process informa-
tion and respond. This is one of the most important
things you can do. They may have questions or feelings
to share with you, but may need time to process your
desires.
Next steps may include researching resources to help
support your loved ones, such as funeral and fnancial
arrangements, creation of advance care documents -
your living will and your powers of attorney - or simply
stating where your advance care planning documents
will be stored. Long-term planning will mean periodic
review of your documents to ensure that friends, family
members and even physicians are updated as necessary
and that wishes have remained constant as new tech-
nologies are created and laws change.
This end-of-life planning process doesnt happen over-
night. It takes thought, emotional readiness and time to
sort out the options and ready oneself for this serious
undertaking. Sharing your choices through conversa-
tion is an important frst step. In the long run, the con-
versations will be the greatest gift to those you love,
giving them the confdence to act knowingly on your
behalf and the comfort of knowing that your wishes
will be honored.
Page 8 Page 8
Page 9 Page 9
Is This The Year You Change Your Career?
(ARA) - When you evaluate your cur-
rent situation and set goals for the fu-
ture, do career goals top the list? If so
its time to roll up your sleeves and get
to work. Why not make 2012 the year
you get your new career underway?
If you were planning on scouring the
want ads, you may have to adjust your
thinking. If you see an ad for a posi-
tion posted, its almost too late, says
Becky Bates, director of career ser-
vices at The Art Institutes International
Minnesota. Bates suggests you tap into
the hidden job market and get to that
position before its posted. That means
networking.
Let anyone and everyone know youre
looking for a position, advises Heidi
Nolta, assistant director of career ser-
vices at The Illinois Institute of Art -
Schaumburg. Even if its your Aunt
Sally, you have no idea who knows
whom, so dont be afraid to ask your
friends and family.
Go to networking functions that ca-
ter to your feld and go alone, because
you wont be able to hide behind your
friends, adds Grace Shurley, career
services advisor at The Art Institute of
Las Vegas. Shurley suggests you stand
or sit in the middle of the room and
get out of your comfort zone, because
youre not likely to make new contacts
within it. Nolta advises you to volun-
teer at those events, checking people
in; it guarantees youll meet almost
everyone who walks through the door.
Your goal should be to get a two-inch
stack of business cards, says Shurley.
Make sure to have business cards
wherever you go. If you dont currently
have a job, have a simple business card
made with your name, profession and
Page 10
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Just when you have the budget worked out so you can
barely squeak by every month, something unexpected
hits you. We know about those times.
When life throws you a curve
we can go to bat for you.
TXU Energy is proud to partner with
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contact information, says Shurley. And while youre at it,
make sure your LinkedIn profle is current and start Tweet-
ing, suggests Nolta. Follow the companies and industries
you are interested in so you can get the latest information
about them.
If youre not employed, be willing to take something that
may not be an ideal ft but gets you out there, advises Shur-
ley. And dont be afraid to start at the bottom if youre
launching a new career; that entry-level job can open up a
lot of opportunities, she adds.
Whether youre employed or not, make sure youre updat-
ing your skills, says Bates. If new software is introduced
in your industry, learn that software. Find workshops and
tutorials that can help. Nolta cautions that potential em-
ployers could test you on new software to make sure that
youre up to speed.
A job seeker is self-employed and the biggest mistake you
can make is not holding yourself accountable, says Bates.
She suggests you make a strategic plan and map out activi-
ties for every day of the week, whether its a job fair, send-
ing out resumes, researching a company or calling poten-
tial employers. Job seekers should consider getting that
job, a job in itself.
Page 11
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Page 12
Experts Expect Smartphones To Overtake Personal Computers In 2012
(ARA) - Smartphones are steadily becoming com-
monplace devices for everyone from professionals to
busy moms. Users of these devices now instinctively
turn to their phones for tasks that previously they
would only have accomplished on a computer, over
the phone or in person. These tasks include surfing
the Web, obtaining driving directions, connecting
via social media, and even shopping.
In the United States, 87.4 million people own smart-
phones. And, in 2012, smartphone sales are expected
to top sales of personal computers. As smartphones
allow people to connect with businesses in new and
exciting ways, businesses in turn need to become
savvier about going mobile.
For example, a small home health care provider re-
cently utilized smartphones to expand to 400 patients
across four major counties in Utah. Its employees
previously struggled to keep up with all the paper-
work and regulatory requirements, so the company
decided to go completely mobile, equipping its en-
tire staff with Microsoft Windows Phones. This al-
lowed the staff to visit patients and instantly update
their condition and treatments.
For small businesses, embracing the smartphone age
Page 13
Page 15
is becoming crucial for success. Here are some easy
ways small businesses can go mobile in 2012:
* Invest in smartphones - Transitioning from a flip
phone to a smartphone makes it much easier to run a
business on the go. Providing easy access to email,
calendar information and the Internet, smartphones
increase productivity and can provide peace of mind
while out of the office. Today, smartphones are more
affordable than in the past, so now is a perfect time
to take advantage of their capabilities.
* Consider industry-specific devices - Numerous
mobile technologies, from smartphone applications
to tablets, have been created with specific industries
in mind. For example, rugged tablets that can with-
stand the elements are available for those in the con-
struction industry and tablets created for the health
care industry can be sterilized between patient visits
to avoid contamination.
* Make websites mobile-compatible - In an era in
which most consumers first go to the Internet to find
local service providers, its crucial that small busi-
nesses have a polished and informative online pres-
ence thats friendly for mobile consumption. Even
for business owners who arent tech-savvy, starting
a website is feasible. A quick Internet search will re-
veal numerous free or low-cost website templates.
You might also choose to work with a Web developer
to ensure your businesss website is smartphone-
friendly.
* Get social - Popular social media platforms like
Facebook and Twitter make it simple to connect with
customers in a casual, but also personal, manner and
also embrace the mobile population that frequents
these sites on smartphones. Consider leveraging one
or more of these platforms to further establish your
businesss online presence and create positive buzz
around new offerings and special deals and promo-
tions.
For more ideas on how to easily boost your business
with mobile technology, visit www.microsoftbusi-
nesshub.com.
Page 16
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Experience counts. And, when
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Contact a Fidelity Banker today.
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Wichita Falls-Downtown
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Page 23
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