2010 was a great year for our business section. We had many more articles posted from many more contributors-- and to think, we've only scratched the surface.
From busisness advice to motivation to market analysis to technology suggestions to legal advice, we work hard to bring you the best, most positive, informational, and educational articles out there.There were hundreds of articles posted this year, and many of them are timeless because good business knowledge just doesn't erode with time.
Without further adu, the Top 10 ValpoLife Business Articles for 2010!
CHANGE - Embrace it, Shape It, or Get The Heck Out of The Way - written by Chris Mahlmann
"I grew up in the fast paced financial markets, and always have had a very creative mind, so that has likely bred a pretty inquisitive mind and a hyper entrepreneurial spirit in me from an early age. I am used to watching markets that change in seconds, and traders that make decisions in a heart beat, because they have to. I was always wondering less about why something was the way it was, and more about why it was not something else, or what might be coming around the corner. If whatever I knew today was interesting, what I might know tomorrow was always even more interesting. Maybe it is just the ADD slant to my personality, but what is next has always fascinated me."
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We’re Just Not the Place for That - written by Chris Mahlmann
"This morning, before 9:00 am, I had three interactions with people that each in their own, unique way called to mind the principle philosophy that comes up often in our personal conversations, presentations, online communication or phone calls. We stress our core principles of “Local” and “Good” in a fairly blatant, obnoxious way through our site, our newsletter, our Facebook page, the ValpoLife Truck, the shirts on our back, our signs, our flyers and everywhere else we can use to convey what we are. What I want to make super clear is what we are not, because I think it defines us as much as by what we are. We are all about the community of Valpo, and we only publish good news."
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Is Google Chrome the Future of Internet Browsers? - written by Brett Fuller
"Since the boom of the internet in the 1990's, there have been several internet browsers that have stood out as "the best" for a period of time. There was Netscape Navigator and AOL, then Opera, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. Users have historically gravitated to the best web browser available. Safety, speed, and footprints are (and have been) really the three main components of any successful web browser gaining popularity. "
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Mind-Dumping and Personal Productivity - written by Maureen Davey
"The concept of mind-dumping is not new. It's based around the idea that focusing on work can become too difficult when there’s too much floating around in your head. If you have a set place to put tasks, ideas, notes, thoughts, concepts, or anything else, then you can “mind-dump” that information where it needs to go, leaving your mind free to be more focused and productive regarding what you need to get done. You’re not worried about forgetting anything. If you have an idea, you “dump” it and go back to what you were doing. Stray thoughts don’t have to completely interrupt your productivity."
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There’s a Revolution Going On Out There - written by ValpoLife.com
"It’s clear that in the past half-decade or so, the way we communicate has changed. The change has happened so fast compared to past trends, that most people and businesses are still catching up. More and more people and businesses, however, are jumping on this new way of communicating with their customers and potential users of their products or services. This wave, as it’s referred to in Socialnomics, the book out by Erik Qualman, is the ‘Social Media Revolution’. Between Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Digg, and all the others, social media has become the #1 activity on the internet. In fact, Facebook users alone out-number any country not named “China” or “India”."
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Supporting Lakeshore Public Television and Radio is Important for Northwest Indiana - written by Chris Mahlmann
"Northwest Indiana: if you and your family enjoy Lakeshore Public Television and the great programming that comes with it, you should actually support the network through membership, sponsorship, auctions, and helping them spread the word about the programming and content. We all grew up watching Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Electric Company, Schoolhouse Rock, and a ton of other great kids programming. They still have a great lineup on shows such as Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog,Curious George, Arthur, and Sid the Science Kid. The bounty of public television has always included adult programming also with NOVA, a whole range of concerts to suit most any taste, America's Test Kitchen, the New Yankee Workshop, and Victory Garden. "
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Valpo Leaders Teach Us That Work Is What You Make Of It - written by Chris Mahlmann
"One of the coolest things that has happened to me since launching ValpoLife.com, is that I have had the fortune of meeting so many people, across so many groups in town, and feel like I am a sponge soaking up the knowledge that they have, the character they demonstrate, the life lessons they have learned, and the work that they do in their professional and personal life. I have learned quite a bit from each of these groups or individuals, and am just flat out better off for the opportunity to have met them, or heard them speak. While each of them has had a number of pieces of wisdom to learn from in how they go about their lives, this week I would say the common component among all of them has been the willingness to fill their work with passion, and their commitment to follow their passion in what they work on."
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Folks That Are Not Morons Awards - written by Chris Mahlmann
"How can I really recognize the people that came into my life each week, that truly are not a moron. Outside of these LIFE sites, I do often think about people who seem to demonstrate a proclivity to act like morons, but in keeping with the all positive aspect of what drives us, I knew I wanted to focus on those shining stars that came through each week and showed they "get it", or at least that they seemed to "get it" that week at least. Technically, the term "get it" or "not a moron" in my dictionary means they have a high number of a very desirable line of traits that I find attractive: They are enjoyable to work with, nice to know, have a clue about themselves in a believable way, are fairly logical about things, speak candidly, are honest, and tend to be willing to look at things in a lighter context."
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Moving Tips To Make The Change Easier - written by Karin Mick
"Ahh moving...the very word makes me cringe. I am one of those who likes to hold on to just about everything I own, "in case I need it someday." So when it comes time for me to move, I shudder at the thought of packing, lifting, shoving, pulling, pushing, cramming, and relocating all of my "oh so necessary" things. However, as monumental as moving is for me, it has taught me some very important lessons."
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What Specific Traits Make People Nice To Work With? - wirtten by Chris Mahlmann
"It is incredibly easy, and quite fun at times, to get all wound up about people that are an absolute pain in the rear to interact with in your working life. Maybe they are small minded, argumentative, inflexible, ignorant, slow moving, grouchy, or just plain not that bright. But what is it about some people that just makes it enjoyable to work with them? Everybody has their day and moments, where a jerk can act like a prince, or a princess can turn a little witchy. What is it though that makes the people that are more often that not, easy to work with, that way? Is it the same trait in all of them, do those traits vary a lot by the person, or is it a set of common traits that they each have in common, though the total package that they come in might be quite different?"