From the top toolbar in Word, click on Tools -> Options -> Track Changes tab.  Then under the Markup section, simply change the Comments color to whatever you desire.  See the screen shot below:

Flowcharts are excellent for explaining complex business processes and can showcase complex processes and decisions visually. Business Process Map aka flowchart diagram is widely used in the corporate world as a tool which can speak and explain complex business decision on a single piece of paper.

The flowchart symbol names in parentheses are common alternates for a given shape. Sometimes a flowchart shape can have more than one meaning, as with the Circle shape, which depicts a jump node in flow charts and inspection point in business process mapping. Other times, there are just multiple names for the same flow chart symbol – such as Terminator and Terminal Point. See here a sample flowchart diagram.

You can also see this helpful guide on how to create a process map flowchart diagram.

Symbol	Shape Name	Symbol Description
Process / Operation Symbols
	Process	Show a Process or action step. This is the most common symbol in both process flowcharts and business process maps.
	Predefined Process (Subroutine)	A Predefined Process symbol is a marker for another process step or series of process flow steps that are formally defined elsewhere. This shape commonly depicts sub-processes (or subroutines in programming flowcharts). If the sub-process is considered “known” but not actually defined in a process procedure, work instruction, or some other process flowchart or documentation, then it is best not to use this symbol since it implies a formally defined process.
	Alternate Process	As the shape name suggests, this flowchart symbol is used when the process flow step is an alternate to the normal process step. Flow lines into an alternate process flow step are typically dashed.
	Delay	The Delay flowchart symbol depicts any waiting period that is part of a process. Delay shapes are common in process mapping.
	Preparation	As the names states, any process step that is a Preparation process flow step, such as a set-up operation.
	Manual Operation	Manual Operations flowchart shapes show which process steps are not automated. In data processing flowcharts, this data flow shape indicates a looping operation along with a loop limit symbol (which is not supported by Microsoft Office, but a Manual Operation symbol rotated 180° will do the trick.)
Branching and Control of Flow Symbols
	Flow Line (Arrow, Connector)	Flow line connectors show the direction that the process flows.
	Terminator (Terminal Point, Oval)	Terminators show the start and stop points in a process. When used as a Start symbol, terminators depict a trigger action that sets the process flow into motion.
	Decision	Indicates a question or branch in the process flow. Typically, a Decision  flowchart shape is used when there are 2 options (Yes/No, No/No-Go, etc.)
	Connector (Inspection)	Flowchart: In flowcharts, this symbol is typically small and is used as a Connector to show a jump from one point in the process flow to another. Connectors are usually labeled with capital letters (A, B, AA) to show matching jump points. They are handy for avoiding flow lines that cross other shapes and flow lines. They are also handy for jumping to and from a sub-processes defined in a separate area than the main flowchart. Process Mapping: In process maps, this symbol is full sized and shows an Inspection point in the process flow. [Just to confuse things further, some people will use a circle to indicate an operation and a square to indicate an inspection. That's why it's important to include a symbol key in the flowchart.]
	Off-Page Connector	Off-Page Connector shows continuation of a process flowchart onto another page. When using them in conjunction with Connectors, it’s best to differentiate the labels, e.g. use numbers for Off-Page Connectors and capital letters for Connectors. In actual practice, most flowcharts just use the Connect shape for both on-page and off-page references.
	Merge (Storage)	Flowchart: Shows the merging of multiple processes or information into one. Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of raw materials.
	Extract (Measurement)	Flowchart: Shows when a process splits into parallel paths. Also commonly indicates a Measurement, with a capital ‘M’ inside the symbol. Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of finished goods.
	Or	The logical Or symbol shows when a process diverges – usually for more than 2 branches. When using this symbol, it is important to label the out-going flow lines to indicate the criteria to follow each branch.
	Summing Junction	The logical Summing Junction flowchart shape is shows when multiple branches converge into a single process. The merge symbol is more common for this use, though. This symbol and the Or symbol are really more relevant in data processing flow diagrams than in process flowcharts.
Input and Output Symbols
	Data (I/O)	The Data flowchart shape indicates inputs to and outputs from a process. As such, the shape is more often referred to as an I/O shape than a Data shape.
	Document	Pretty self explanatory – the Document flowchart symbol is for a process step that produces a document.
	Multi-Document	Same as Document, except, well, multiple documents. This shape is not as commonly used as the Document flowchart shape, even when multiple documents are implied.
	Display	Indicates a process step where information is displayed to a person (e.g., PC user, machine operator).
	Manual Input	Manual Input flowchart shapes show process steps where the operator/ user is prompted for information that must be manually input into a system.
	Card	This is the companion to the punched tape flowchart shapes. This shape is seldom used.
	Punched Tape	If you’re very good at stretching all the life out of a machine, you may still have use for the Punched Tape symbol – used for input into old computers and CNC machines.
File and Information Storage Symbols
	Stored Data	A general Data Storage flowchart shape used for any process step that stores data (as opposed to the more specific shapes to follow next in this table).
	Magnetic Disk (Database)	The most universally recognizable symbol for a data storage location, this flowchart shape depicts a database.
	Direct Access Storage	Direct Access Storage is a fancy way of saying Hard Drive.
	Internal Storage	Used in programming flowcharts to mean information stored in memory, as opposed to on a file.
	Sequential Access Storage (Magnetic Tape)	Although it looks like a ‘Q’, the symbol is supposed to look like a reel of tape.
Data Processing Symbols
	Collate	The Collate flowchart shape indicates a process step that requires organizing data, information, or materials according into a standard format or arrangement.
	Sort	Indicates the sorting of data, information, materials into some pre-defined order.

First Step

The first step when carrying out SEO on your website is to define which keywords or search terms you would like to be found under. We help you with the keyword selection and you approve the final list of search terms you want to target for your seo campaign. Keyword sources generally tend to include search tools such as Google adword keyword checker, overture and obvious keywords relative to your business.

Keyword selection is imperative for SEO and can often decide how effective your seo promotion will be long term. If the right keywords are targeted you will receive better conversions through your website.

Step 2

Keyword grouping involves an analysis into the keywords which have been agreed you for the SEO package. This SEO process is to define which keywords are to be targeted on certain pages within your website. An old method many SEO companies use is to create a new page targeted for each keyword. Due to Google algorithm changes a more efficient way is to group keyword variations together and target these phrases across one optimized page. This reduces the risk of content repetition across a website which is essential for successful seo promotion. It is important to target key phrases on website pages with a relevant theme. For example if a keyword ‘marketing’ was optimized on a web page called ‘web design’, it will be a lot more difficult getting to page one in the organic search for ‘marketing’. Try and call the web page a top phrase that variations can be written up in the body of text to compliment the web page name.

Step 3

We create unique content based on the agreed keywords for your SEO campaign. The content generated is then placed onto relevant pages on your site. We ensure not to spam the keyword density of the keywords targeted as over optimizing can have an adverse affect on your search engine ranking. Unique content plays an important part in SEO as should the content appear anywhere else on the internet Google refer to this as ‘mirroring’ and could result in no positioning depending on how much content is copied on your website.

Step 4

There are areas with your web page layout to please the key terms you are targeting that makes your web page layout stronger than if they were not in place.

These areas are titles tags, meta tag descriptions, meta tag keyword placements, alt tags, headers (h1 h2). Ensure you do not repeat yourself page to page when placing in the coding of your web pages. To be stronger than the competition it is essential that every page in your website reads differently. The more specific you are when implementing these seo techniques the easier it is not to repeat yourself.

Step 5

Backward links are internal links and external links. Internal linking is favored by the search engine spiders as they know they can trust the source, your own website as opposed to external linking. External links are governed stringently now by Google due to all the link farms used by unethical programmers and the difficulty in governing them. To appear high in the search results is not about budget, it is about what clever seo techniques are implemented for your website. Backward keyword anchor text linking plays a fundamental part in your website appearing on page one in the natural search results.

Website development is key for long term success in the search engines. Using the seo tips provided, you will need to keep adding new web pages, building folder structures around your targeted search terms and linking them together with the key phrases is key for seo to be a success.

I found these two free and very useful tools to customise the dock for any OS 10.5 and above MAC computer. I was bored with my dock and having it full with many documents I wanted to add spaces in between icons plus customise it with some texture etc. Well I ended up with three tools which I think are the best if you are looking to customise your MAC Dock. Here is the list of free dock customising software + plus an additional very cool wallpaper app:

1. Docker

Docker offered all the things I wanted adding spaces, 2D/3D dock icons but above all ability to add spaces in between icons and a very handy lastest applications folder. If you are feeling creative, you can easily select your own images, or a vast array of download able styles.
With Docker, we can organize icons and shorcuts easier. It is also now possible to prevent users from accessing certain Dock settings from the Finder, and hide or remove the menubar and Dock. And its FREE

Download here: (http://www.blocksoft.net/docker/Docker.dmg)

2. Dock Library

Dock Library offers a more easier styling option and a really sleek one. You can download styles from websites like Jack Rebel also has a few nice options.    and then import the downloaded .zip file to this software. Once imported you can simple implement it and your dock style will change. Look at some samples below:

Download here: (http://www.dativestudios.com/docklibrary/)

Ok now for the MAC wallpaper and desktop:

03. Backlight Screensaver to Wallpaper

This nifty software just does one job convert your MAC screensaver into your wallpaper. Simple but very effective even cost effective for it being FREE. You cant imagine how beautiful the desktop of your MAC will look, specially with MAC screensavers. Its free simple and very easy to use and does add life to the desktop. Enjoy!

Download here: http://mac.rbytes.net/cat/mac/utilities/backlight/

Marketing Communications Plans consist of the following vital elements:

• Context analysis
• Promotional objectives
• Marketing communications strategy
• Promotional mix (methods and tools)
• Budget schedule
• Evaluation and control"

When writing marketing communications plan it is important to:
1. Set corporate, marketing and marketing communications objectives, which would support and integrate with each other.
2. Develop segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies
3. Develop creative message with which Marketing Communications Plan with communicate with target audience
4. Select and justify one or combination of marketing strategies (push, pull or profile)
5. Develop well-rounded and creative set of promotional mediums and allocate appropriate budget for each medium.
6. Create contingency planning strategy (in case something goes wrong)
7. Set strict set of evaluation and control mediums which would include milestones and continuous evaluation

Please find below links to excellent Marketing Communications Plans available online:
C/M/315. INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PLAN FOR ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD
S/M/162. Marketing communication plan: Philips SatinIce UK, and current marketing communications strategy analysis
S/M/158. Marketing Communication Plan for British Airways
S/M/158. Marketing Communication Plan for British Airways
E/M/14. Marketing Communications Plan for Pizza Hut
C/M/180. Internet music search engine Promotion Campaign
C/M/171. Analysis of the 50+ customer group for M&S and brief outline of a promotional campaign
P/M/311. Marketing communication Plan for Direct Lines the breakdown service
S/M/77. Project Management for Marketing Communications Campaign
P/M/289. Marketing Communications Plan for ROYAL DUTCH/ SHELL
S/M/69. Marketing Communications Plan for British Airways (BA)
P/M/269. Marketing Communications Plan for Shell
P/M/262. Marketing Communications Plan for North West Valley Sailing Club
C/M/117. Marketing Communications Plan for Hugo Boss
P/M/252. Marketing Communications Plan for the Introduction of New Product: Smoothie
P/M/139. Marketing Communications Plan for Haagen-Dazs
P/M/130. Marketing Communications Plan for the new degree programme
P/M/133. Marketing Communications Plan for Marks and Spencer
P/M/134. Analysis and development of Marketing Communications Plan for Adidas (US).

SOSTAC Model was invented by Paul Smith, who is a best selling marketing author, international speaker and consultant. He is the originator of SOSTAC ® Planning System used by organisations around the world. Visit: http://www.prsmith.org/

SOSTAC focuses on the six most important elements of any business SOSTAC is an acronym for these six elements: That may look intimidating at first glance. But, each element asks a simple question and provides an easy starting point.

• Situation analysis, asks what the current state of the business is.
• Objectives, helps list an overview of goals for the business.
• Strategy helps provide a “big picture” plan to achieve the goals
• Tactics breaks down the “big picture” strategy into smaller details
• Action helps assign responsibility and deadlines for certain tasks
• Control offers an easy way to track the progress of the plan

Each of these six elements contributes an essential piece of the overall marketing plan. We can also look at it in another manner:

SOSTAC is an Acronym for the 6 basic elements of the Marketing Plan:

• Situation Where are we now?
• Objectives Where do we want to get to?
• Strategy How are we going to get there? – The Big Picture
• Tactics How are we going to get there? – The Detail
• Actions Who is going to do what and when?
• Control How can we control, measure and develop the process?

Each element relates to a key step in the process. Simply work through the Pro-Forma on the following pages step by step and fill in the gaps to suit your business and your goals.
One thing you need to be aware of:

Often people deal with the SOS as a wish-list of achievements and then fail to develop and implement a detailed, controllable & measurable action plan (the TAC). This leads to a statement of great goals with no clear idea of how – or even if you can achieve them. We will be looking specifically at Action Planning in a future issue of News & Views If however you would like some help in developing and, more importantly IMPLEMENTING, a marketing plan, we would be delighted to talk to you.

Lets see them now one by one and try to cover what exactly we need to do:

STAGE 1 SITUATION ANALYSIS WHERE ARE WE NOW?

• How are we performing?
• What are our distinctive competitive (marketing) advantages?
• How effective is our Marketing Mix?
• Are we focusing on the best segments with the right type of customer?
• Are we using the most appropriate channels for communication and distribution?
• What uncontrollable event(s) or trend(s) can impact my business?

STAGE 2 SET OBJECTIVES WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

• Business Mission?
• Business Objectives?
• Marketing Objectives – Business Development?
• Marketing Communication Objectives?
• The SMART Test for Objectives
• Make sure your objectives are practical and measurable. Do they fit the following criteria?
  • Specific (with numbers)
  • Measurable (to monitor progress and confirm achievement)
  • Actionable (can we do it?)
  • Reasonable (realistically attainable)
  • Timed (incorporate deadlines)

STAGE 3 STRATEGY HOW DO WE GET THERE?

• Segmentation – How do we want to divide up the market(s)?
• Targeting – Which segments of the market do we wish to focus upon?
• Positioning – How do we want to be perceived in each different target segment?

STAGE 4 TACTICAL PLAN HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY?

• Which Communication Tools are we going to use?
• How are we going to use them?
• What message(s) do we wish to communicate?
• Are we being consistent across different tools and messages?
• Do we have the necessary resources/budgets?

STAGE 5 ACTION PLAN WHO, WHAT, WHEN?

• Who is going to do what?
• When are they going to do it?
• What is the resource allocation for the action?
• What are the key performance measurements?
• How is performance going to be recorded?

STAGE 6 CONTROL KEEPING TRACK OF PROGRESS

• Do action performance measurements relate to objectives?
• Responsibility for measurement?
• Frequency of measurement?
• Resources for measurement?
• Review of measurements?
• Actions on variance?

If you are able to answer and work towards finding the answers to all the questions discussed above you are bound to have a perfect working plan which now needs implementations and team work. We have seen that SOSTAC not only works for marketing purposes but it is a very important and quick Project Management tool.

So in siutations where you have to do a quick project plan and there is too much info flowing around and you cant focus SOSTAC can be your rescuer.

One of the most frequently used and effective decision making techniques can be summarized in the following 7 steps.

Step 1: Identify the problem/situation for whicj you need to make a Decision. What exactly is the problem, for which you need a Decision to be made?Step 2: Collect information based on different parameters. This step can also be called as collecting the facts and impacts of the problem?

Step 3: Identify the various possiblities. Prepare a list of the possiblities the problem can be solved and rate each possiblities between 1 to 5 in terms of its consequences on your Decision.

Step 4: Evaluate each possiblities in terms of its consequences. Use your standards and judgement criteria to determine the cons and pros of each alternative.

Step 5: Determine the best Option/possiblities you enlisted in step 5. This is much easier after you go through the above preparation steps.

Step 6: Evaluate the outcome of your decision. ]]> http://corporateskills.co.uk/managerial-skills/easy-steps-for-decision-making/feed/ 0 http://corporateskills.co.uk/presentation-skills/presentation-secrets-that-will/ http://corporateskills.co.uk/presentation-skills/presentation-secrets-that-will/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:25:19 +0000 Sheraz Alvi http://www.corporateskills.co.uk/?p=358 by Debbie Bailey

About the Author: Debbie Bailey is a well-regarded Presentation Skills Training Consultant and founder of Trainer2go Inc. For more information about Debbie go to http://trainer2go.com or email debbie at debbie@trainer2go.com

You’ve been asked to give an important presentation. A lot is riding on how well you can deliver. The problem is, you’re not sure where to begin. The last class you took on presentation skills told you to tie your hands behind your back and blend in with everyone else. Is that really a good approach?

The answer is a LOUD and RESONATING NO WAY.

If you want to WOW your audience, you have to STAND UP and STAND OUT!

Here are 5 Presentation Secrets designed to help you see an immediate and dramatic improvement in your presentation performance.

Secret #1 – Manage Your Anxiety So That It Doesn’t Manage YOU!

Most of the nervous symptoms you experience before a presentation are exactly the same as those you feel when excited. To the body adrenaline is very simply- ENERGY. If we call it energy or excitement it is good, if we call it anxiety, it is bad. The first step toward successfully managing your anxiety is to remove the negative label and rename that feeling you have right before you step up to the podium, EXCITEMENT. Tell yourself that you are excited about the opportunity to speak in front of this group. “Excitement” is a much more manageable and positive emotion than “anxiety.” Then use your excitement to energize you and help you communicate your enthusiasm to your audience.

Secret #2 – When It Comes To Your Delivery Style, Be More Of Who You Really Are!

Everyone has their own innate “style” of presenting. Your style is made up of many different aspects of your delivery, including your body, voice, face, the way you use language, level of formality, etc. The trick, within your style, is to be more of who you really are, which means knowing and then capitalizing on your greatest delivery strengths. Many presenters focus too much attention on their words. With words only accounting for 7% of your power as a presenter, spending too much energy on the words alone is a big mistake. Your nonverbal delivery style-also called your presentation personality– accounts for 97% of your power as a presenter. To improve your chances for success, focus on the real source of your power-your nonverbal communication such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, movement, proximity, clothing, vocal variety, rate, loudness, and silent pauses.

Secret #3 – Give the Audience All the Enthusiasm You Want Back!

You can’t expect an audience to be enthusiastic about a product or program you aren’t excited about. Presentation author Doug Staneart concluded, “Your audience will have just about as much excitement about your presentation as you do, and no more.” Enthusiasm is very catchy. Most audiences will match your level of enthusiasm pound for pound.

According to the Lamalle Report on Top Executives of the 1990s, one of the most important factors in determining financial success by those earning over $250,000 is being enthusiastic and having a positive attitude (46%). Apparently, along with being incredibly enthusiastic, successful people never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

Why does having a positive attitude matter so much? Research solidly indicates that expectations influence behavior meaning if you expect to succeed, it is likely that you will and if you expect to fail, you are more likely to be unsuccessful. Expectations create outcomes because we work toward the outcome we expect, even if it is failure. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t–you are right.”

Enthusiasm has amazing transformational powers. As you release your energy using positive nonverbal behaviors (gestures, movement, loud voice, etc.), you will begin to relax. And, your audience will quickly become excited. It works like magic! Watch how easily you can transfer your enthusiasm to your audience.

Secret #4 – NEVER Apologize, Confess, Or Make Excuses!

Presenters say the darndest things…”I’m sorry but I have a cold today so my voice may sound a little funny” (apology) OR “I just found out about this presentation yesterday, so I didn’t have as much time to prepare as I would have liked” (excuse) OR EVEN “I’m so nervous…” (confession). It is always surprising how often and how easily presenters use these NEGATIVE phrases.

Up until now, that is.

If you want to WOW your audience, you have to adopt and live by the motto: NO APOLOGIES, NO EXCUSES, NO CONFESSIONS.

When you APOLOGIZE, MAKE AN EXCUSE, or CONFESS at any time during your presentation, you are in essence saying to the audience, “Don’t expect a lot from me today because I’ll disappoint you.” Instead of APOLOGIZING–”I’m sorry I didn’t bring in a sample, but I couldn’t arrange it on such short notice,” try framing it in the positive, “I am working on getting you a sample and I can deliver it next week.” Instead of making EXCUSES, put your energy into delivering the best possible presentation and then stand behind your performance–”I did the best job I could given the circumstances.” And limit your CONFESSIONS–especially those the audience has no business knowing such as “I’m so nervous”–to church!

Secret #5 – Get Your Audience Involved In Your Presentation!

People are notoriously BAD listeners. In fact, the attention span of the average American is just nine seconds. That means every nine seconds each member of your audience takes a little mental vacation from the taxing work of listening to your presentation.

With so much fading in and out, it makes sense that the audience remembers only about 20% of what they hear. Stated conversely, the audience will FORGET nearly everything you say (80% of it anyway). Retention improves when you add a visual element to your presentation, but it still is rather dismal at 50% (don’t celebrate yet, they are still forgetting half of your presentation!). And that’s just immediate recall. I’m sorry to say that it gets worse as time elapses.

So how do you get the audience to remember MORE of your presentation for longer periods of time? To raise your audience’s remembering quotient, you have to engage them in your presentation, getting them to actively participate in it. Your goal is to transform the audience from passive listeners to active participants. The six best ways I’ve found to engage the audience in your presentation is to:

1. Ask the audience a question
2. Take a poll
3. Involve the audience in a demonstration
4. Give the audience a test
5. Give the audience a listening assignment
6. Employ a gimmick

When an audience participates in a presentation, they are fully engaged in the presentation. This means that every part of them is involved in the presentation- their hearts, minds, and bodies. The voice inside their head that thinks of all kinds of extraneous, random thoughts, is for once, silent while they focus solely on your presentation. This concentrated focus enables them to remember so much more!