I am at the APC conference in Orlando FL. First I am blogging on my Iphone so if there are any typos I will correct them at a later date. I got in yesterday and will give this piece of advice. If at all possible, come in a day early. I was at the airport at 4:30 and still missed the fist days classes and keynote. The shuttle from the airport took so long! By the time I finally arrived the reception party. I passes going to my room and went straight to the reception. The reception was great. I saw a few people from previous years and met a few new ones. Connie Podesta will be the fisrt keynote. I look forwad to hearing her.
Category: Miscellaneous

How to add an EssentialsDesk Listing 

 

The Essentials Desk is DeskDemon's business directory.  We will be adding listings worldwide, but YOU can add your favorite vendors.  If you have our own business, you can list your services for free.  If you know a company or service that you feel is top notch and you would recommend to your peers, feel free to post their information.  

 

1.       You must be registered and Logged on

2.       Go to the drop down menu My Apps

3.       Drop down to Manage Listings

4.       Click on Add New Listing

5.       Choose your category

6.       Add the company

7.       Enter any tags or keywords to find the organization.   If you are a local company, make sure you add your city so people may refine the search.

8.       Enter the telephone number

9.       Enter the Email

10.   Enter the website address.  Please note that you MUST use the complete html code  site name

11.   Finish filling out the company information and hit "Save Listing"

12.   (Highly suggested) Add a photo to your entry.

 

Your entry is now listed. 

 
Category: General Comments and Updates

What are groups?

Groups are a great way to attract and connect with like-minded peers who share your interests.  Search the many great groups on a diverse array of topics or start your own.

What  are some groups that can be made?

Create a group for the PAs or Admins in your company, your city, professional organization, up-coming events, your level of expertise, create a group for personal interests, creating for YOUR interests.

What does DeskDemon’s Groups have that is different from say LinkedIn or MySpace?

Each Networking website has its own unique features  and reasons to use.   DeskDemon’s advantage is our audience of peers.   You will find group members that can relate to the issues you are interested.  In addition to our audience we also offer the most comprehensive features available.  These features are tailored to what an admin group may use to communicate effectively.  Groups can have a private space to schedule events, share expertise with articles and discussions, real time chat with fellow members, share photos and videos with your group members.

What are the Features of DeskDemon’s Groups?

  • Group Details  - This is where you describe your, who are you targeting.
  • Members - Members can view others in their group.  You can invite other members to be your  friends, send messages back and forth or just view their profile.
  • Photos - Upload photos only your group can view.  An example would be if you have a meeting or lunch and take some photos.  You can share them here.
  • Videos  -  Share your videos or link to one of the popular video sharing websites.  
  • Files  - Files is another private place for you to post your files and documents.  Maybe you have handouts for a meeting, or a flyer on an upcoming lunch, this is an area where only your members have access.
  • Articles - This is the same as Content on the main nav bar where you can create your own section of expertise using our Page application. Create your own How To Section, your own tips, your own advice on soft skills. But within the group module, your content can only be seen by your members.
  • Discussions - An message board to discuss matters.
  • Events - You can schedule events, such as a group chat meeting or events and meetings. It is a calendar to share important dates and information.

Instructions for Creating a Group

  • Log on to the DeskDemon Network
  • Click on My Apps  in the Dnet navigational bar
  • Drop down to Groups
  • Click on Create New Group
  • Fill out all the fields of the Create New Group form
    1. Group Name
    2. Describe your group and if you are looking for other members
    3. Choose your category
    4. Do you want your group is a search results - this can be a very private group between you can a client, it is up to you to choose the level of membership
    5. Choose who can invite members
    6. Choose if you want to manually approve members or have them join automatically. A company group may want to keep it within their company and choose to approve and monitor members, but a general group may enjoy a large membership and automatically accept members
    7. Decide who can see the group.
    8. Choose if you want your members to be able to comment.
    9. Choose the level of membership and posting permissions for the discussion board.
    10. Decide who can upload pictures.
    11. Decide if you want tagging on your photos.
    12. Upload a Group Photo - this will be what shows in the directory, highly recommended
    13. Your new Group should be listed.

Once you create a group, decide if you wish to promote it.  The biggest tip I can give to make a group successful is to try and keep it active.  Post discussions on your group topic and encourage participation.


 

Category: General Comments and Updates

SusanToonWelcome to my first official blog on DeskDemon!

When it comes to blogging, well, many times I just don't know what to blog about.   My daily routine doesn't change that much.  Thank God I don't have may problems to complain about, so at times I am a loss at what to blog about!  Hopefully that will change.   I have started to Twitter as well.   Twitter is 140 characters.  Which is easier to think of stuff to blog about.

Now that the new look and the site live I, (like everyone else) get to play with all the new features.   I must say, so far the blogging program is pretty easy!  We shall see what it looks like once I hit enter!  For those who do blog on a regular basis.  How do you come up with topics to talk about?  I would love to blog more often and any advice would be appreciated!

We shall see what I come up with tomorrow!

 

 
Category: Communications

Is appreciation contagious? It should be. How important is it? Do we show or receive appropriate amounts of appreciation? Day after day we go to work, put forth our best effort and don't expect much for an honest day's work. But how does the day totally change when you get that unexpected thank you? If you are like me, it can make a huge difference, and make all the work that much more fulfilling. Being appreciated makes me worker harder, raises my self-esteem to new heights, and makes the job I am performing that much more enjoyable.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:

Function: verb


1 a : to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of b : to value or admire highly c : to judge with heightened perception or understanding : be fully aware of d : to recognize with gratitude
2 : to increase the value of intransitive senses : to increase in number or value

Think for a second, and consider how much effort it takes to show appreciation to others? If two simple words such as, "Thank You" can change the outlook of someone's day, aren't they worth saying? Those few quick seconds it takes to show your appreciation for a job well done can really make the difference in someone's day.

So with that, I throw a challenge to the administrative community. Take time out to say thank you for a job well done. If you have a rush printing job and the shop you take it to turns it around in record time, or a co-worker pitches in to help with a project just say, "Hey, I really appreciate what you did".

If you want to take your appreciation to a more personal level an excellent way is to do that is to send an E-card. It is free, but it shows you care enough to take the time to think of someone, and say "thanks". If you are in a position where you are able to budget recognition gifts, a simple gift basket is a great idea as well! People find it easy to point out the negative but many times the positive aspect of someone's work is over looked. A simple thought can go a long way. Perhaps your company can take an innovative approach and start an award program. Create a type certificate and approach management to use them!

If we all start with ourselves and show our appreciation and our thanks, hopefully others will follow. What harm can it do to try? I appreciate you all for taking the time to read this! Start today and find a way to thank someone.

Category: General Comments and Updates

Ok this is my first blog entry on DeskDemon.  As we are still testing the networking elements, I doubt many will read this openning.   At times I find it hard to think about what to write, but I will give it shot and hopefully have more to say then I have in the past!   I hope if you read this, you to will going in and create your own blog on DeskDemon!