Sandy’s Scene

From Moodle to WordPress: A Work in Progress

I’ve been so lax lately about writing in my blog in general. As my last post stated, I have lots of excuses. But instead of using one of them, I’ll just jump in and tell you what’s been happening.

My Destination Sewing site, running on Moodle, got hacked during the past few weeks. I was lucky enough to find out because I was set up on Google Webmaster.  They sent me an email threatening to de-index me. I looked for what Google said had been placed on my site, but I couldn’t find it. Sooooo……since I was going to convert it from Moodle over to WordPress anyway, I decided just to do it sooner.  It certainly wasn’t the smoothest move as there was and still is a lot of work to be done on the design. I couldn’t export anything besides my user database.  BTW, I was still de-indexed but submitted my request for adding it back and what I had done to solve the problem. Even though I moved quickly but was still de-indexed, I’m thankful I was registered with Google Webmasters because I don’t know how long it would have taken me to find that out on my own. I user Google XML Sitemap as my plug-in to submit to Google.

I really want to say that my decision to move from the Moodle platform is in no way a reflection of the software itself, more of my inabilities to get it to do what I want. My visions of the site come from a commercial standpoint and I firmly believe that WordPress will suit the needs of my community better.

WordPress Answers the Needs

When I moved to WordPress I also changed hosting companies. My last one will remain nameless since I wish to give them no press, not even bad press. I’ve moved it to HostMonster which I’ve been using now for some time for my other sites. Their support is superb and when they can’t answer my WordPress questions my friends from DFW WordPress Meetup are always willing to help as well as my friends in the Twitter world. It’s making this process so much easier and much more fun.

I’m excited about my new site and can’t wait for it to be done and open for business.  I’ve chosen the Atahualpa theme because for me and my level of expertise (not much) it was easy for me to work with. I think a friend of mine said it was “stupid simple”.  Guess that’s why I chose it. It works.

SitePal

I’ve also decided to use SitePal on my site.  I’m not someone who relishes being in front of a camera but I do believe very much in video and audio.  I love the flexibility SitePal gives me and I have some great plans for it in the future, but you’ll have to watch the site to find out how. There are some other options but much more expensive but I will consider them as the site grows.

WishList Member Plug-in

One of the key plug-ins that I’m using is the WishList Member plugin.  I have a great deal of work to do yet, but their support is wonderful.  My use of it may be a little different but I’m convinced it will work for my overall solution. The unlimited levels of memberships are crucial to my design.

For those of you who may not know what Destination Sewing is all about, it is an on-line sewing school. Primarily about garment sewing, we plan to offer classes at all levels of expertise. We’ll be using Web 2.0 technology to become the premier on-line sewing school. In addition to the school, there will also be an extensive marketplace and library for those who want to shop for fabric, books etc., all related to sewing. There will be articles and sewing tips regularly for those who are always on the lookout for new things to try. Another feature will the classified section. What better place to sell sewing related items than a site full of other like minded individuals.

There is so much more planned but I can’t give everything away right now because that would ruin the surprise. I’m testing many more plug-ins, working with selecting sewing instructors, developing sewing classes and also working on other training sites. This one though is my baby because I believe in it so much. So many want to learn to sew or improve their sewing but have no place locally to go to classes.  Why not use WordPress, and everything that comes with it, to make it a viable option for all.

So if you want to see the site and watch it in its growth, go to Destination Sewing or the Destination Sewing blog and join me for the ride. I’ve decided to keep it open for people to see so you may be surprised that every time you look at it, you will see some big changes.  All the more fun!

Top Excuses for Not Blogging

Okay, so I haven’t been very good at keeping up my blog.  I’ve got lots of excuses. I decided to share some of them with you.  At one point I had over 25 excuses so I decided to narrow it down to the top 15 excuses for not writing in my blog. Some you may use also . Feel free to use whatever will work for you. I’m concerned that I eventually may run out of excuses so I’m asking that you comment and list some of your best. That is, if you are willing to share. Here’s mine: Read the rest of this entry »

Is Your Networking Effective or Is Technology Making You Lazy?

The face of networking may change but the purpose remains the same

I keep hearing how networking has changed. But has it really? Fifty years ago (and longer) it was about making contacts and developing relationships. Isn’t the relationship still the main purpose?  Those relationships help us gain referrals as well as making new friends.  Sounds pretty simple, huh? Groups such as Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, various trade associations, etc. have been around for many years. The Chamber’s of various cities have networking events all of the time. Meetup has helped evolve face to face networking to a new level. And we can’t forget the “good old boy’s network” Still strong today, although maybe changed some. In all these methods, follow-up was and is key to it’s success. Read the rest of this entry »

Is Being Courteous Passé?

I was reading a blog post over on the eLearning Magazine by Lisa Neal Gualtieri, Editor-in-Chief entitled “It’s a Training Problem“. It just happened to be an excuse from a telecommunications company after she received poor service. It made me think about the lack of common courtesies in the customer services environment today. (And I won’t even talk about the lack in today’s young kids)

What ever happened to those common courtesies that were drilled into us as kids? You know them or at least I hope you do. Simple words but they carry so much power. Read the rest of this entry »

RSVP? You Want Me To What?

What Does It Really Mean?

For those who can actually say they don’t what it means, let’s get that out of the way first. If you want the French version, it means phrase “repondez s’il vous plait”.  In plain English it means “please respond” Pretty simple and straight forward, right? Well, you would think so, but it doesn’t seem to be that way anymore.

Please respond means respond whether or not you will be attending. Yes, it mean yes or no. (If it is only for a NO then it will say Regrets Only) A very common courtesy…or at least it should be.  Imagine having a wedding, and sending out 200 invitations with an RSVP card.  You even sent self-addressed stamped envelopes to make it easier. You’ve now received back a whopping 100 RSVP’s out of 200.  So you plan food with your caterer accordingly.  In actuality, 125-150 people show up. Not enough food. Or maybe instead of 100 showing up, 75 show up.  Yes, this stuff really happens, but it shouldn’t happen if we followed the manners taught to us when growing up. Read the rest of this entry »

Social Media – Is It Eroding Our Listening Skills?

So…do you think you are a good listener? Over the many years I have been teaching in business, listening seems to be the one skill where everyone needed improvement.  Why is that? I used to think it was because I was a bad teacher.  Time, experience and some research has proven  that I was not the culprit, thankfully.

In today’s fast paced world, we have been taught to multitask. Unfortunately, this has eroded our listening skills. If you have children have you ever told them to stop what they are doing and “listen” to you?  I know I have…many times. Ask my son! Yet, I know I’m guilty of poor listening myself.

The computer has made listening even more difficult. Multi-tasking has become a way of life for all of us. Many call centers actually teach their agents to handle multiple chat and email support questions at the same time. Some of those companies expected those  same agents to answer incoming calls while answering emails and having several online chats!  And we wonder why customer service has suffered? It’s very doubtful that someone can give a customer the needed attention/support while doing multiple things at one time.  As a professional in that industry for many years, it was very hard if not impossible to convince my clients NOT to do it that way.

As if we didn’t have enough problems with email, texting, etc.  social media has now entered into the fray.  With so much time spent on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other social media, are we losing even  more of our listening skills? I think so.

Ok…so you’re saying ” But I do listen”.  But..are you actually “listening” or do you just “hear”? What’s the difference?  If you are just “hearing” it means you are listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying but it doesn’t mean you truly listened intently and picked up everything.  Ever thought you could finish someone’s sentence because you just know what they are going to say?  If you are thinking like that while they are talking then there is a good chance you are missing parts of the conversation.

Listening is an active skill, not a passive one.  Hearing is physical, but listening is understanding the sound. Think of it as “hearing with a purpose”.

· Have you ever talked on the phone when reading emails ?

· Have you ever surfed while talking on the phone or having a conversation with someone in the same room as you are in?

· Have you ever watched TV or listened to the radio when on the phone?

· Have you ever thought about how much you have to do whle you are talking with someone, either on the phone or in person?

· Have you ever been in a meeting/class and thinking about what you are going to have for dinner?

· Or have you ever been thinking that the person talking has no idea what they are talking about only to find out later you misunderstood?

· Have you ever finished someone’s sentence? (literally or even your mind)

If you can answer yes to even one of these questions,  maybe you can feel some comfort in knowing that so have millions of others.

The following is a short ten question audio quiz that I have used for years in teaching sales skills and other training classes.  It won’t take long, just about 2-3 minutes at the most.   Nothing scientific here, just a little fun.  I dare you!

You need a small piece of paper and pencil. When ready, just listen to the first audio clip. There is a series of 10 questions. They will be not be repeated and the time you have to answer will be given at the end of each question. Write your answer down quickly.

Read the rest of this entry »