Month: October 2013

LinkedIn Etiquette – How to Use New Endorsement Feature

October 8, 2013

BY MIHRAN KALAYDJIAN, CHA
LinkedIn Etiquette – How to Use New Endorsement Feature

Hey LinkedIn users…Here’s how to use the new endorsement feature and treat people you don’t know.

In 2013, social media will continue to be the main form of online communication and LinkedIn will continue to be the best tool for business professionals. Not long ago, LinkedIn introduced the new profile layout and the endorsement feature, making it easier for people to highlight their skills online and interact with others. Along with the new features, some new questions about LinkedIn etiquette have arisen, so here is some advice for a few common issues.

Endorsement Rules

1. How to treat people who endorsed you?

The new endorsement feature is like a “quick recommendation”; it literately takes seconds for you to endorse someone. You may also receive endorsements from a colleague you know well or even from someone you have only met briefly. Depending on who endorsed you and how well you know the person, your response may be different.
If you get an endorsement from a colleague, the best way to respond is to check his/her skills and endorse back if you see any skills that person truly demonstrates. If you want to be friendlier, you can send a quick note to say, “Thank you for endorsing my _______ skills, I have endorsed you back!
If you get an endorsement from someone you don’t know too well, you can choose to not do anything, or you can also send a quick note say, “Thank you for endorsing my ______ skills, let’s keep in touch!” This might be good opportunity to get reconnected with someone.

2. Who to endorse?

Treat endorsement the same as writing a recommendation letter. Never endorse anyone you don’t know. Try to only endorse someone for a skill that you absolutely know they possess. It is best if you have actually seen them in action!

If someone you don’t know has asked you to endorse him/her, instead of ignoring the request you can send a message asking the person to refresh your memory, and asking which specific skills they would like you to endorse. If you think someone is not qualified, you can always choose to not endorse.

3. Can I ask people to endorse me, and what’s the best way to do it?

If you are looking for valuable input from someone you have worked with, recommendation is more valuable than endorsement as it contains more substantive comments.

Try to not ask for endorsements unless there is a very specific skill you would like the person to endorse. In that case, you can send a message specifying why you need to be endorsed and reminding this person what you have done that demonstrates the skill.

Lastly, remember that the endorsement feature is not a race; it won’t make a huge difference whether you have 5 people endorsing your communication skills or if you have 20 people. What’s important is how your skills are demonstrated through your work experiences.

5 General rules to be successful on LinkedIn:
1.Be personal. Customize personal messages for each connection.
2.Get a real photo. You will need an updated, professional headshot.
3.Be polite and be professional. Treat every message as an in-person conversation.
4.Be honest, never put up skills you don’t have or activities you have not done.
5.Don’t spam. Keep your Twitter on Twitter.

King Of Spices: Black Pepper Health Benefits

October 8, 2013

By Mihran Kalaydjian
King Of Spices: Black Pepper Health Benefits

What is Black Pepper?

Black Pepper, is a popular seasoning spice originating from Southern India. It has a long and rich history in Ayurvedic medicine where it was valued for its natural healing properties. It has anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help heal various ailments from common colds to cancer

Nutrients found in Black Pepper

Black Pepper, the King of Spices, is popularly used world-wide for spicing up various dishes and healthy soups. It is a highly nutritious spice and is loaded with anti-oxidants and minerals:

Minerals
Iron: Used to build red-blood cells and for repairing worn out cells.
Potassium: For regulation of heart beat and maintaining blood pressure.
Calcium: For strong bones and teeth.
Manganese: For bone-building and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Magnesium: For proper nerve and muscle functioning and conversion of blood sugar to energy.
Zinc: Eliminates cholesterol deposits and is important for growth.
Chromium: Helps metabolize fats and carbohydrates in the body.

Vitamins
Vitamin C: For a strong immune system and combats cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin A: For healthy mucous membranes, essential for proper night vision and promotes skeletal growth.
Niacin: Regular functioning of tissues and enables conversion of carbohydrates to energy.
Riboflavin: Releasing energy to cells and enables break down of fats.
Pyrodoxine: Prevents water retention and enables conversion of carbohydrates to energy
Thiamine: Growth and development of skeletal structure, promotes digestion.
Folic Acid: Forms red blood cells and important in blood circulation around the body.

Some of the health benefits of black pepper include:

1. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Blood Pressure
Black pepper has major compounds that regulate blood pressure levels in our bodies. It is also rich in vitamin C which helps prevent hypertension by increasing the excretion of lead from our bodies. The high levels of essential minerals like potassium, calcium and iron in black pepper are blood pressure lowering compounds. The major underlying cause of high blood pressure can be attributed to very high levels of sodium in the body. Black pepper contains an insignificant amount of potassium, which is very potent in minimizing the effects of high sodium levels in the body.

2. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Brain Food
Recent studies show how piperine found in black pepper contain anti-depression properties that can help you cheer up. Research also shows how black pepper is very effective in proper brain function, cognitive function and stimulates central nervous system. Additionally, piperine also helps increase endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are chemical substances in the brain that provide relief from pain but they also improve moods and make us feel good. A good dash of black pepper in your vegetable soup may actually lift your mood!

3. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: For Colds and Flu
Black Pepper has anti-microbial properties that help destroy cold-causing germs and pathogens, thereby clearing nasal passages and relieving congestion. Black Pepper helps keep the flu bugs away by inducing sweating which helps dislodge mucus in the chest and nose. Hot spices like black pepper are known to give people runny noses. This is just a way of removing the excess mucus lodged in the chest cavity. Vitamin C, that is an excellent fighter of colds and flu, is an active vitamin contained in black pepper. In India, a common remedy for colds is taking a hot soup called rasam, that is prepared using herbs and spices like tamarind and black pepper.

4. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Heart Disease
Two active ingredients in black pepper: Piperine and Chromium contain anti-inflammatory properties that are essential in healing inflammation in the walls and arteries of the heart. Black pepper may also help regulate blood cholesterol and suppressing bad cholesterol which eventually ends up clogging arteries surrounding the heart, thereby causing cardiovascular problems. Sprinkle a dash of ground black pepper to your fresh salad for a healthy well-functioning heart.

5. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Anti-Cancer
Black pepper, when combined with turmeric is said to significantly lower the odds of cancer by fighting of the growth of cancerous cells. Piperine, the primary anti-inflammatory phytochemical found in black pepper suppresses cytokines (substances produced by cancerous cells)thereby, reducing the harmful activities of cancerous cells and their growth into tumors. Black pepper also contains potent anti-carcinogen and anti-bacterial values that protect the mucus membranes lining the stomach, preveting microbial and bacterial attack.

6. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Cooling the Body
You can beat the summer heat by adding hot spices including black pepper to your diet. Since black pepper is a hot spice, it helps cool the body by increasing blood circulation and also by inducing sweating which releases the excessive heat from our bodies. Black pepper also helps to rapidly raise your body temperature then lower it at intervals and this eventually cools down your internal body temperature. You can toss a couple of black peppercorns to a wide range of spicy foods from hot Indian curries to sizzling Mexican summer salads.

7. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Proper Digestion
Black Pepper stimulates the gastric pits in the stomach to release gastric juices for proper digestion. This helps prevent various stomach ailments related to digestion, for example: gas, bloating and diarrhea. Pepper also contains a lot of dietary fiber for cleansing and regulating bowel movements. This helps our bodies to get rid of harmful and unwanted wastes that may be poisonous on accumulation. A pepper-added diet can help your digestion system function effectively, without having to suffer from embarrassing stomach problems like gas and diarrhea.

8. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Good For Skin
The principal chemical compound in black pepper, Piperine, can act as alternative medicine in treating various skin ailments and infections such as vitiligo. The powerful anti-oxidants in black pepper also shield the skin from UV rays that cause sunburns and even skin cancer. Pimples can also be treated with black pepper. A simple remedy is to grind at least a teaspoon of black pepper and add it to a measurable quantity of rose water. Apply on face twice a day for a pimple-free glowing face.

9.Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Weight Loss
Black Pepper is a great spice to add to your diet in curries or soups that you might take when on a weight loss program. This is supported by the fact that it has absolutely no fat contained in it and only a few calories. Piperine, found in black pepper, helps increase the body’s metabolism. In so doing, more and more calories will be burned in order to obtain energy off them. Burning calories means getting rid of the carbohydrates that will turn into stored fats, thereby maintaining healthy weight.

10. Health Benefits Of black Pepper: Dental Health
Black Pepper is said to fight tooth decays and cavities and promote healthy strong teeth. Black Pepper can also heal tooth aches and relieve pains. A common tooth ache remedy with black pepper suggests mixing 3 teaspoons of black pepper powder and a pinch of salt in a little water and gently applying it to the painful area or cavity. Practiced twice a day, this remedy will guarantee healthy gums and teeth for a lifetime.

9 Things a True Friend Would Never Do

October 8, 2013

By Mihran Kalaydjian

9 Things a True Friend Would Never Do

An acquaintance has a little something in common with you and merely enjoys your company for a short time. A fair-weather friend flatters you when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. A true friend, on the other hand, has your very best interests at heart and would NEVER…

1. Criticize you for being flawed.

As flawed as you might be, as out of place as you sometimes feel, and as lacking as you think you are, you don’t have to hide all the imperfect pieces of yourself from a true friend. They see your flaws as features that make you interesting and beautiful.

The quality of the happiness between two people grows in direct proportion to their acceptance, and in inverse proportion to their intolerance and expectations. True friends love and appreciate each other just the way they are.

2. Walk away when times get tough.

True friendship and good character is all about how a person nurtures another person when they are vulnerable and can give very little in return. Thus, it’s not who’s standing beside you during good times, but the ones who stick by you through tough times that are your true friends.

So take note of who remains in your life when times get tough, especially the people who sacrifice the resources they have in their life to help you improve yours when you need it most. Seriously, when you come out the other side of a difficult period in your life, look around you. The people still standing beside you are your true friends.

3. Discourage you.

Unfortunately, some who seem like your friends will try to hold you back from your full potential. It may be difficult, but don’t let these negative imposters bring you down. Don’t ever let your so-called friends turn your sky into a ceiling. Beware of friends who try to belittle your ambitions. Small hearts and minds always do that. The greatest hearts and minds – the people you should spend time around – make you feel that you, too, can become great.

Remember, encouraging things happen when you distance yourself from discouraging people. Doing so doesn’t mean you hate them, it simply means you respect yourself. (Angel and I discuss this in more detail in the “Relationships” chapter of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)

4. Hold a grudge over your head.

Some people will refuse to accept that you are no longer who you used to be – that you’ve made mistakes in the past, learned from them, and moved beyond them. They may not be able to stand the fact that you’re growing and moving on with your life, and so they will try to drag your past to catch up with you. Do not help them by acknowledging their begrudging behavior. Let go of their negativity, find peace, and liberate yourself!

A true friend never holds the unchangeable past against you; instead, they help your repair your present and future. If someone relentlessly judges you by your past and holds it against you, you might have to take matters into your own hands, and repair your present and future by leaving them behind.

5. Lie to you.

When you keep someone in your life who is a chronic liar, and you keep giving them new chances to be trusted, you have a lot in common with this person – you’re both lying and being unfriendly to YOU.

If you know someone who avoids the truth by telling you only what you want to hear, they do so for their own benefit, not yours. They are not a true friend and they don’t deserve to be treated as such.

6. Pretend like they have all the answers.

If you think about the people who have had the greatest positive effect on your life – the ones who truly made a difference – you will likely realize that they aren’t the ones that tried to give you all the answers or solve all your problems. They’re the ones who sat silently with you when you needed a moment to think, who lent you a shoulder when you needed to cry, and who tolerated not having all the answers, but stood beside you anyway.

Don’t look for a friend who will solve all your problems; look for one who will face them with you. (Read Tuesdays with Morrie.)

7. Take from you without giving back.

You deserve to be with friends who make you smile – friends who don’t take you for granted – friends who won’t leave you hanging. When you notice that a friend is always taking from you without giving back, you might need to distance yourself from them for a while. If they care, they’ll notice. If they don’t, you know where you stand.

You should want to give, but you shouldn’t be forced to always give more than you get. If you feel like you are being taken advantage of, respect yourself enough to confront the situation. This doesn’t mean you have to stop being friends with those who you feel are at fault, but you need to evaluate your friendships and realize where to draw the line when you give yourself to certain people.

8. Bully you.

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your friends. Sometimes bullying comes from the most unlikely places. Be cognizant of how your friends treat you, and look out for the subtle jabs they throw. When necessary, confront them or distance yourself from them – whatever it takes to give yourself the opportunity to grow into who you really are.

Life’s too short to be hanging around people who try to control and manipulate you. Anyone who does so is not a true friend. Gain your independence by taking off the shackles and freeing yourself from these bullies. (Read The Mastery of Love.)

9. Make you feel like you’re burdening them.

True friendship is never burdened with stressful promises and obligations. What true friends do for each other should be done because they care and because they want to do them. Period.

So don’t chase people. They don’t need to be chased. If someone is a true friend and wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever force yourself on someone who continuously overlooks your worth.

Afterthoughts

A true friend who understands your tears and troubles is far more valuable than a hundred friends who only show up for your smiles and joys. Because a true friend accepts who you truly are, and also helps you become who you are capable of being.

Friendships like this require more than just finding the right person, they also require you to be the right person. When someone believes in you enough to lift you up, try not to let them down. True friendship is a sweet responsibility to be nurtured, not an opportunity to be exploited.

Your turn…

What would you add to the list? What’s one thing a true friend would never do? Leave a comment below and let us know.