Change Is Good Right?

Submitted by Patricia Lamoureux

Database Coordinator with the Association of Administrative Assistants

Change is good right? 

We often hear this in the business world and sometimes you might smile and agree but really deep down you might not always see how change can be good. You can watch change happen, you can ignore change or you can be a change champion because like it or not, change is the new reality of the world we live in. It is happening in the public sector with Workplace 2.0 and the ever smaller cubicle office. It is happening in the private sector with the Internet of things. Lastly, change is also happening in our personal lives with the arrival of the sharing economy. The opportunity to be a change champion is yours for the taking but are you ready?

Recent examples of workplace change that I’ve experienced include transitioning from teleconferences to the more common video-conferences and the disappearance of land line office phones in exchange for mobile phones. This has led to a whole new work experience and the transition was not always smooth. Recent examples of change on the home front include a smart television that at times seems too smart for its own good and a smart meter that seems to not always be so smart. I’ve not always been an early adopter of change and new ways of doing things but I’ve found that life is a lot more enjoyable if I at least try. I learned change survival skills that helped me develop resiliency when presented with planned and unexpected change.

Here are three ways to help you develop the characteristics of a change champion:

1. Be informed by proactively taking actions in anticipation of change.
2. Be organized by using time wisely and effectively.
3. Be flexible by keeping an open mind to new ways of doing things.

Be Informed

• What actions can you take in anticipation of change?
• If you know that a change is happening, try to be involved in someway.
• Reading every day can mean scanning business tweets before going to work. Scanning a couple national newspapers or a couple of electronic magazines.
• This can make a real difference in knowing what is new and trending and to keep your business acumen updated.
• It is important to read every day and yes there is time

Be Organized

• In the book, “168 Hours: You Have More Time than You Think” by Laura VanderKam, there are interesting ideas about time management and the average person’s perception of how busy they really are.
• It comes down to choices. What is your priority? Are you going to take 15mins of every hour to learn about something?
• Know your core competencies and spend time on what you’re really good at and if you need help in other areas, invest in that sooner than later.

Be Flexible

• Try to understand someone else’s perspective even if you don’t agree.
• By losing stubbornness and staying open-minded you can gain the ability to manage yourself through the change instead of trying to prevent change.
• Be open to possibilities and plan for opportunities that might present themselves.

I joined the WBN last January with both apprehension and anticipation after deciding that this group could offer me knowledge and insights that simply can’t be found in a book or in a course. For an administrative assistant, this kind of learning might be considered unconventional but I believe that sometimes doing something different is the perfect way to understand new perspectives. Joining this group is definitely something that is outside my comfort zone but in my experience, doing things that aren’t easy usually means that I have an opportunity to learn and grow. It comes down to accepting and even creating change in order to thrive as a change champion. In my opinion, yes change is good if you’re ready to get past the fear of the unknown.

Patricia currently works full-time as a Program Research Assistant with FedDev Ontario and volunteers as Database Coordinator with the Association of Administrative Assistants.

Obtaining Government Funding For Medical Equipment & Supplies

Submitted by Carolyn Corp, 

Community Outreach Coordinator at Motion Specialties 

Hello Ladies:

Yes, there is funding available for some medical equipment and supplies from the government but how one applies for it continues to be a mystery.  There is also funding for Breast Prosthesis and CPAP equipment.  Because the business I work for specializes in Mobility Devices, Breast Prosthesis and CPAP and are the experts on how to obtain funding we feel an obligation to educate the community on the process.

The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is a program operated by the Ontario Ministry of Health which provides funding for persons requiring mobility devices.  ADP contributes to covering the costs of items such as walkers, scooters, wheelchairs and specialized Seating. 

ADP provides assistance to anyone with OHIP who needs mobility equipment for more than six months.  The price of the mobility equipment will be the same no matter where you are located in Ontario.  The price of these devices is already determined by the Ministry of Health. 

The Assistive Devices Program requires that you have an assessment done by a therapist who is authorized by ADP to fill in the application.  My company can assist you in finding a therapist if you need help.  Assessments will take place right in your home.  At the assessment, the therapist will assess your condition and will determine how you will benefit from a mobility device and which mobility device will fit the needs of your lifestyle best.  They will determine the size, model and features of the equipment.  We will provide the mobility equipment necessary for the assessment followed by a free equipment trial as part of our service.

After the therapist has determined that you are eligible, they will fill out the ADP application form, you will sign it and the therapist will mail it to ADP.  ADP will review your application and ensure you are eligible for funding.   When your application is approved ADP will notify your therapist and the medical equipment company you’re working with, the exact amount of their contribution.  In most cases, ADP pays 75% of an approved price and you are responsible for the other 25%.

ADP also provides a grant for external silicone breast prosthesis.  Any permanent resident of Ontario with a valid health card who has had a mastectomy, or a lumpectomy or was born with a deformity of one or both breasts, is eligible.  You may download and print the application form on their website: www.health.gov.on.ca  Complete the form and mail the original to ADP with your signature.  If funding is approved you will receive $195.00 for one full breast prosthesis or if you require two full prostheses, you will receive $390.00.  If you require one partial breast prosthesis you will receive $105.00 and if you require two, you will receive $210.00.  Should the supplier you choose has a retail price higher than your grant, you are responsible for the difference so I recommend you shop around to find the most experienced fitters with the best possible pricing.  You will be amazed at the difference in pricing of prosthesis and bras.

ADP also pays for CPAP equipment for people who have a valid health card and who have been diagnosed by a sleep physician as having obstructive sleep apnea.  To begin the process, you need a referral to a sleep lab signed by your family physician.  If you meet the ADP medical eligibility criteria and your sleep physician confirms you have obstructive sleep apnea, an Application Respiratory Equipment and Supplies form will be completed.  ADP will pay 75% of the ADP approved price and you will be charged the remaining 25%.  You obtain your CPAP equipment from a respiratory vendor registered with ADP.  As a registered vendor, we will provide you with training and education on the effective use, care and maintenance of your CPAP device.  We will also determine if the basic mask and headgear if appropriate for you.  Appointments must be made in advance to meet with a respiratory therapist. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my article.  Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to speak with me at a WBN meeting or give me a call.

Carolyn Corp, 

Community Outreach Coordinator
Motion Specialties
705 930 6660
ccorp@motionspecialties.com 

Is your website as accessible as your business?

Submitted by Carrie Wakeford, 
Project Manager Black Cap Design.

Ramps, automatic doors, accessible parking spaces – do you remember the days when these things couldn’t be taken for granted?  Now most business owners know the importance of making their stores and offices accessible to everyone.  Just in time too, with our aging population.

But wait - is your website also accessible?

Millions of people with disabilities rely on the Web.  They’ll be accessing your site using assistive devices such as screen readers.  And look out – those baby boomers will continue to have power and it won’t be long before they will be making demands for accessible websites.

Some of the coolest looking websites are not so cool for people using assistive devices - fancy fonts, newfangled layouts and funky menus can be fun and eye catching, but if you’re not careful they can create barriers for some visitors.  Ideally your website will look good AND be accessible to people with visual impairments, people who are unable to use a mouse and people who need an intuitive navigation system.

Features of an Accessible Website

Let’s start by looking at some of the main features of an accessible website.

1.     Links are spelled out

a.     Rather than saying “click here” the hyperlink is clearly labeled e.g. “Click for more information about …”. 

2.     Images are clearly labeled in the code

a.     This means having Alternate Text (Alt Text) for each image so if someone can’t see the image on your site their screen reader has something to read.  For example the text might say: “Two women at a podium smiling.” 

3.     Navigation is intuitive

a.     Menus are easy to find and logical

b.     People can move around your site without a mouse (keyboard navigation)

4.     Layout is user friendly

a.     Headings and subheadings are used

b.     Colours have high contrast

c.     Text resizing buttons are available

d.     Images are static or slow transitioning – they don’t spin or blink

5.     Content is written using plain, easy to understand language

6.     The site loads quickly

7.     The site is mobile responsive

Benefits to Making Your Website Accessible?

1.     At a Business Level

a.     You reach all your potential customers and clients regardless of their ability.  Your website will do better in search (Google likes accessible sites too).  Studies find that accessible websites have lower maintenance costs.

2.     At a Legislative Level

a.     You’re website will comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

3.     At a Community Level

a.     You are doing the right thing by playing a role in breaking down barriers; leveling the playing field and giving everyone access to the same information.

Test your Site

There are many website accessibility checkers available for free.  For example, you can check your site to see if it is accessible at: http://wave.webaim.org/

Quick Fixes

Don’t panic if your site has errors, most sites do.  However, you can use the results to find things you can fix easily.  For example you can:

□      Reword any links that say “click here”

□      Add “alt text” for any images you have on your site

□      Add headings and subheadings that will help organize your content

□      Reword any content that doesn’t use plain language (e.g. remove jargon)

Other Easy Ways to Test Your Site:

□      Ask a friend to find something specific on your site

o   How easy was it for them to move around?

o   Did they find the information?

□      Ask a senior or person with a disability for feedback on your site

□      Try moving around your site using the keyboard only – no mouse

□      Review your own site using a screen reader

o   There are many free screen readers such as: http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.html

Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web says “The Power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”

Let’s do what we can to make the web accessible.

The AODA states that public sites, not-for-profit organizations and private businesses with 50+ employees must comply with the WCAG 2.0 when launching a new website or undertaking major revisions. http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/info_sheets/info_comm/website.aspx

Carrie Wakeford, Project Manager  carrie@blackcapdesign.com

Black Cap Design 

310 Elias Avenue 

Peterborough, Ontario 

Canada , K9J 5G9

705-927-2308

Canadians Need To Relax, But Watch Out For Leisure Sickness

IT MAY NOT BE KAROSHI, BUT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED LEISURE ILLNESS

August 15th is Relaxation Day and Canadians are encouraged to remember to slow down, breathe and make healthy lifestyle choices.

 Little Britain, ON – We finally have a day off.  One that we have been looking forward to.  Only to be struck down with some kind of bug which makes us feel rotten. For some, taking a vacation doesn't lead to sleeping in, relaxation or family fun.  It may mean headaches, migraines, fatigue, muscular pains, nausea and viral infections that caused flu-like symptoms and colds. These symptoms can be a sign of leisure illness and they are often linked to stress caused by work overload and pushing ourselves too hard before taking time off.

This illness was often considered to be psychosomatic, because most people in the midst of it were not suffering from any viral or bacterial infection and it tended to be experienced by people who were overworked, expressed a lot of stress around working, or who rarely took time off from work. However, it may be that these people pushed themselves to the point where they compromised their body systems and when they finally took time off, their bodies 'gave in' and responded with aches, pains and illness reactions.

"Our bodies respond to the stressors that we face.  Sometime these reactions are not immediate as in the case of being in a car accident and our heart racing.  Sometimes these reactions build over time and eventually they can wear us down.  Sometimes it is not until we stop the 'rollercoaster ride' that our body responds and we experience these flu or cold like symptoms," says Beverly Beuermann-King, a Canadian work-life balance expert.

A recent Expedia.ca survey found that 40% of Canadians are not taking all of their vacation time and the number one reason cited was that they were too busy to get away.  Taking time off from our usual routine is important in ensuring good overall health.

“Vacation time helps reduce stress and holds a range of benefits for both our physical and mental well-being,” Beuermann-King says.  “A break from the grind can help lower your blood pressure, reduce anxiety and let you get the proper rest that’s so important to our overall health.  Plus, according to the Expedia.ca survey, holidays make us happy – which obviously benefits our mental well-being. However, if you are not taking good care of yourself on a day-to-day basis by eating health, getting enough sleep and exercise or you are involved in many negative coping activities, you may find that your body will 'act out'  the first chance it gets and that may be during your vacation."

August 15th is Relaxation Day.  It is a day to promote healthy lifestyles that include learning how to relax.  "We have become a society of workaholics and people who placed little value on taking care of ourselves.  We are seeing a change to this model as more and more people are looking to find balance and improve their health.  Being able to relax, whether at home on the weekend, a day off here or there or while on vacation is a true skill.  We need to learn to be comfortable in the moment and not planning out our to-do list. For some, relaxation is uncomfortable and promotes anxiety.  They are so use to being on the rollercoaster of life that even a few moments of down-time causes stress."

Celebrate Relaxation Day.  If you can, take the day off and focus only on those activities that nourish your mind and body. If you can't take the day off, make it a priority to build in some relaxation time after work or on the weekend.  It may be reading a good book, going for a massage, or sitting on a patio enjoying the summer.  All work and no play, may just make Jack or Jill one very sick person. 

Beverly’s Hot Tips for Celebrating National Relaxation Day:

• Vacations are important to our health and well-being, so don't wait for the 'right' time.  Make plans to use all of your vacation allotment, whether it be a day off, an extended weekend or a longer vacation period.
• Do not over-program your days off.  Look for activities that are relaxing and rejuvenating.
• Promote relaxation.  Try deep breathing, visualization, yoga or a massage.  Massage can increase circulation by manually applying pressure and movement, it stimulates nerve receptors causing the blood vessels to dilate, it increase oxygen capacity, loosens muscles, and increases body’s secretions. All of this is great for promoting the body’s relaxation response.
• Get involved in a hobby.  Try gardening, fishing, boating, or reading a book.  Reading something uplifting activates the same positive emotion center as experiencing a happy moment first hand. University of St. Louis
• Play. Play is important for all aspects of our lives, including creativity and relationships. When we play, we trigger a mix of endorphins that lift our spirits and the relationships that we form during play remind us that we are not alone in this world. Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax us.

If you have some strategies to share – comment on the original posting by Beverly Beuermann-King at http://worksmartlivesmart.com/national-relaxation-day-august-15/ 

Beverly Beuermann-King is a recognized resiliency and wellness strategist who synthesizes the latest health and wellness research into practical and achievable best practices. For 20 years, Beverly has worked with people and organizations, using her S-O-S Principle™, who want to control their reactions to stress, build resiliency against life's challenges and live healthy, successful lives. Beverly is the author of the newly released Stress Out! 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In.  For More Info visit http://worksmartlivesmart.com/

P.S... Don't forget to Join Beverly Beuermann-King as she discusses how to Harness Your Energy & Build Your Resiliency at our November 4th WBNPtbo Meeting being held at The Holiday Inn on George Street in Peterborough (see more details in our 2015/2016 Program)

5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Downtime

Submitted By:
Jill Bradley, Marketing Coordinator at Viamede Resort

We all know we need more downtime in our lives. But between running your own business, a hectic work schedule, devoting your talents to a worthy charity and keeping up at home, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time! When your hours are this limited and life is intense, it’s crucial to build in some time to refresh.

Here are 5 ways to make sure you are getting the very most out of your downtime:

1. Take your vacation.

It is well understood that regular breaks throughout the work day helps us to focus and accomplish more. The same is true on a larger scale. Vacation takers are more productive, focused and dedicated to their jobs, offering benefits to both the employer and the individual. To truly see these benefits, you need to disconnect from work emails and projects. If you must check-in, set a limited time once a day or every two days – and stick to it! You’ll come home rejuvenated and excited to get back at it.

2. Go somewhere. 

A break doesn’t always have to be a week-long vacation involving airports and customs. Sometimes just a night or two away from home is enough to get some rest and bring a fresh outlook on life. Try a road trip to a cute town a few hours away, a night out to dinner and a show in the city, or a retreat to a nearby quiet bed and breakfast or resort. As a bonus, you’ll keep costs down (less financial stress!) and you won’t have much to catch up on when you get back.

3. Schedule non-work activities. 

When things get busy, it’s easy to sideline the things that aren’t loudly demanding your attention. Maybe you’ve been meaning to catch up with an old friend for months now. Or you keep missing a favourite yoga class by working overtime. If you schedule these activities into your calendar, you’re much more likely to keep the commitment. Many gyms allow you to sign up for classes in advance, docking points or charging a fee if you don’t show. It’s a simple psychological hack that encourages accountability. So go ahead – make a date to meet your friend for a Saturday morning coffee or bootcamp class.

4. Turn off your devices after 8pm. 

The amount and type of light in your environment tells your body whether it is day or night, cueing the secretion of the appropriate hormones to make you alert or sleepy. In the evening, natural light is dim and has an orange hue, telling your body to produce melatonin to help you sleep and recharge. However, the light streaming out of your phone, TV, tablet and computer is on the blue spectrum. These devices send your body daytime signals, inhibiting melatonin and raising cortisol. Exposure to blue spectrum light at night can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, leaving you tired and stressed, day in and day out.

What’s a gal to do? Set a “devices off” time, about 1-2 hours before bed. You’ll see significant improvements in your sleep and energy through the day. If you absolutely must use your electronics at night, consider downloading the application F.lux, which changes the light spectrum to a slightly orange hue at sunset, so your body knows it’s night-time.

5. Read before bed.

A University of Sussex study in 2009 showed that reading has an unprecedented ability to help people relax. Allowing your imagination to run wild with a great novel is a great way to settle your heart rate, relax your muscles and slow down your breathing, all important to a good night’s sleep. Don’t forget that it’s best to avoid those blue spectrum lights – so pick up a real book, not your eReader.

Reading can also help your body prepare for sleep as part of a before-bed ritual. Not just for children, such a routine signals to your mind and body that it is time to wind down and sleep. With a clear association between the newest page turner and slumber, you’ll be drifting off in no time.

Jill Bradley

Marketing Coordinator

Viamede Resort  

595 Mount Julian-Viamede Rd.  

Woodview, ON K0L 3E0 

705.654.3344 | www.viamede.com 

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Networking: How Women Do It Differently

Karen August, (Manager of Membership Services at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce) shares some Networking insight for women...

You’ve probably heard it before, the ‘fact’ that men and women network differently.  But is it true? And what impact does it have on us and our business or career?

“Men’s networks are widely dispersed, while women tend to form their professional networks in the same way that they form personal networks”, says Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski, vice president of global academic and research relations for academic publisher Elsevier BV.

It’s different for girls

“Women’s tighter networks are built for personal support, but they often lack the wide reach of men’s networks. Women’s networks also are typically based on trust and first-degree knowledge, with contacts including old friends or former colleagues. Often, many people within a woman’s network know one another” she says.

So, while our typical networking style can produce great results while building camaraderie, mutual support circles, and good business referrals, it has its limits.

It might be possible to leverage your existing circle of professional and personal contacts to meet your needs.  But when you broaden your network you invite new possibilities in.

So, how are the men doing it?

The specific techniques that typically characterize the male approach to creating and building a network are subtle, but powerful.  As women, we can adopt their modus operandi and add it to our own, without sacrificing the obvious benefits our ‘inner circle’ of trusted supports undoubtedly provides.

Men often regard networking as an opportunity to meet new people.  As such, they allocate the resources to make that happen.  They budget for membership dues, conference attendance; for the ‘hospitality’ costs associated with lunches and for the time that it will take.

The best of both worlds

The unique qualities that your close-knit network provides should not be discounted or abandoned. When you are ready to expand your reach and influence, consider these points:

• You only get one chance to make a first impression so be prepared. Learn some new techniques and then practice, practice, practice.  You might need to employ a coach (or at least a trusted friend).

• Learn the art of body language and how to make people come to you in the room. Prepare some great questions that you can ask so that you are never stuck for words.  Study effective techniques to start (and end!) a conversation.  

• Learn the art of active listening, how and when to do the business card thing, and for heaven’s sake – don’t arrive at an event hungry!  Nobody ever made a good impression with asparagus in their teeth.

• Develop a powerful elevator speech and use it.  Chisel away at a long winded response until it is clean and crisp.  Remember, when Michelangelo was asked how he created his sculpture of David he supposedly said, “It was easy. All I did was chip away everything that didn’t look like David.”  It clearly ISN’T easy, but the effort is well worth the reward.

• Attend new places and events with a purpose in mind. Make it a goal to connect with one new person, and to follow up with them the next day to make the relationship ‘stick’.

• Leverage technology. Not using LinkedIn or Twitter, even Facebook? You need to be.  End of discussion. 

• Make yourself the centre of your own network by introducing people who don’t know one another. Become a linchpin.

• Adopt a new attitude. Surround yourself with people that you think you can learn from, rather than people who you think can help you.  And in turn, be generous with your knowledge and connections.

The one thing to remember is to cast your net wide.  
Maybe that’s why it’s called ‘net-working’?

Karen August

Manager of Membership Services

Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

175 George Street

Peterborough ON K9K 3G6

705-748-9771 ext 200

twitter @chamberconnects

LOST - Lynn Zimmer's thought of the day

LOST

By David Wagoner 1976

Stand still.  The trees ahead and the bushes beside you

Are not lost.  Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to  know it and be known.

The forest breathes.  Listen.  It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost.  Stand still.  The forest knows

Where you are.  You must let it find you.

Lynn Zimmer

Executive Director

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

216 Simcoe Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 2H7

T | 705.743.3526 ext. 112   F | 705.745.4654

lzimmer@ywcapeterborough.org   ywcapeterborough.org