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Google Maps for iPhone Far Superior to Apple Maps

Today, Google released their Google Maps app for iOS (iTunes link). As you may have heard, Google was the standard map service for years until Apple unceremoniously removed it completely to replace with their own. There are many #fail sites highlighting Apple Maps problems, this Tumblr is my personal favorite: http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/

Key Features:
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.

The Verdict: After briefly testing the app out this morning, it is clear that Google is still the king of Maps. The interface was intuitive, the turn-by-turn directions flawless, and the vast search index of places vital. The only thing missing is the native lock-screen support.

Posted on December 13, 2012|Tool Tip|0 Comments

How to Write a Winning Resume

I have been a lead college recruiter and have reviewed hundreds of resumes over the years. A good resume is a critical piece for any job seeker and you must invest the necessary time to make it a winning one.

A resume should:

Get you more, high quality interviews
Give employers a first impression of your professional standards and talents
Market and highlight your most applicable skills and abilities
Provide a verbal picture of your qualifications
Catch the recruiter’s attention

Three steps to writing a winning resume:
Read the rest of this entry

Posted on November 10, 2012|Personal Development|0 Comments

Book Notes: Winning by Jack Welch

I started reading Winning by Jack Welch right about when I first started working at GE. It really helped ground me on the keys to winning in business and in life. Jack is recognized as one of the best CEOs of all time and his “no-bs” voice makes it an immediate page-turner.

Favorite Nugget:

I enjoyed Jack’s take on driving organizational change. Here are four practices to entice change:

Attach every change initiative to a clear purpose or goal. Change for change’s sake is stupid and enervating.
Hire and promote only true believers and get-on-with-it types.
Ferret out and get rid of resisters, ever if their performance is satisfactory.
Look at car wrecks.

Key Takeaway:

This book is about the “importance of a strong mission and concrete values; the absolute necessity of candor in every aspect of management; the power of differentiation, meaning a system based on meritocracy; and the value of each individual receiving voice and dignity.”

Posted on November 8, 2012|Books|0 Comments

Getting Things Done Phase 2: Process

As part of my “How to Get Out of Email Jail” series, I will be highlighting a phase of the GTD methodology each week.

Phase 2: Process

The processing phases transforms unclear stuff into defined work
Process each collection tool to empty at least once a day
For each item you collected you must ask yourself:
“What is it?”, “What does it mean to me?”, “What am I committed to do about this?”
- Is it Actionable?
- No
  - Trash
  - Incubate
  - Reference
- Yes
  - Does it require more than 1 step to complete? (Project)
    - What is the desired outcome?
  - What’s the Next Action?
    - Do it (if it will take less than 2 minutes)
    - Delegate it (track it on your Waiting For list)
    - Defer it (put it on one of your Next Actions lists)

The process step translates very well to managing your email inbox.

Your five keys to success:

Don’t be a pack rat, get comfortable with the Delete button!
Think about the absolute Next Action…example: Fix broken door at home should actually be Drive to Hardware Store, Pick up supplies, etc.
You waste more time re-reading the same email over and over, if you can do it in under 2 minutes it is way more efficient to do it then
Use your calendar as the commitments you make with yourself, don’t be afraid to schedule time for yourself or someone else will take it
If you are 500+ emails in the hole, be comfortable with declaring bankruptcy and start new. It is a significant time commitment the first time you are cleaning everything out

Posted on November 6, 2012|Productivity|0 Comments

Holiday Gift Ideas: How to Create an Amazon Wish List

Have you ever struggled to come up with ideas on what to get a family member or friend for the holidays? There is nothing worse than getting someone a gift and seeing them fake smile and say “Oh, thanks…I really like it…”

To take the guess work out of holiday shopping, our family creates Amazon Wish Lists and use that as a good foundation for gift buying. Here are the 5 steps to creating the perfect wish list: