Deb's Stuff

Attitude of Gratitude: There’s a Lot to be Grateful for in my Life

Faceboook is overflowing with gratitude challenges. People are challenging their friends, family, and colleagues to identify those things in their lives for which they’re grateful. My friend, Maura Halkiotis, challenged me to identify and post three things I’m grateful for each day for five days. I altered the challenge a bit: here’s my list – all […]

Managing Expectations: Do Your Clients Know What to Expect from You and Your Company?

Before you even enter Ducks in the Window, this business has already kept its promise to you because, yes, there are ducks in the window! Upon entering the store, you’ll see that a variety of ducks line the shelves – big ducks, smaller ducks, clothed ducks, decorated ducks. There are other items for sale in […]

TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race: There’s Room For Everyone at Joanie’s Run

Here it is Sunday night, the weekend’s winding down, and I’m watching the Boston Red Sox play those dreaded New York Yankees. While this is a good way to end the weekend (as long as the Red Sox win), I find myself thinking about yesterday’s TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race along the coast […]

Yarmouth Clam Festival: Still Fresh After 49 Years

The weather gods were looking out for the organizers of the 49th Annual Yarmouth Clam Festival last weekend. Perhaps the unseasonably cool temperatures and lack of humidity were Mother Nature’s way of acknowledging a job well done. The  town of 8,300 along Maine’s southern coast prepares to welcome 100,000 to its village every year to […]

Serving Your Clients: Are You Giving Your Clients What They Need, or What YOU Want Them to Need?

There you are happy as can be, having more fun than you ever imagined. Your product is operating just as you hoped it would. And yet, you can’t do the happy dance of success. Why not? Nobody’s buying what you’ve got to sell. You see, it doesn’t matter how good you are at serving up […]

Is Your Approach to Media Relations Helping or Hurting Your Cause?

Oh my goodness. Did I ever have an eye-opening experience last week. Maine Public Relations Council hosted a media panel discussion for its members featuring three local award-winning journalists. Topics for discussion included best practices for pitching and storytelling. I love to share a good story and wanted to hear what these media reps consider […]

Check Out the Power of Handwritten Notes

Try an experiment this year. Make a commitment to sending handwritten notes every week (yes. with a stamp. via the U.S. Postal Service). Start small, with just three a week, and see what kind of results you get. Document your expectations and compare them to what actually happens. What’s the big deal with handwritten notes? […]

The Sky’s the Limit When Your Board Has the Tools to Give You the Help You Need

Entering the new year is the perfect opportunity to press the reset button and recharge your nonprofit’s board of directors. By letting each member of your board know exactly what action they can take to help you reach your goals in 2014, you can put your plan into motion and make this year a successful […]

Sweeping the Homeless Under the Rug

Yes, you read that headline correctly. And, yes, one of my favorite cities – Portland, Maine – is trying its very best to sweep the down and out under the rug. The Portland City Council has banned standing, sitting, parking, or driving on a median in response to the outrage expressed by the good people […]