Sheila Hensley's Blog

Happy New!  Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010 for all.

A must see movie.  Yes the technology is great.  Although the real meaning of the movie is not new, it is presented well  in this setting.  I can only hope that young man sitting next to me “gets” it.  I hope his generation pays attention.

 Military Industrial Complex is alive and well … and shows up again today in a 3D, high tech movie.  Wonder when civilization will learn how precious life really is?

Be prepared – this post will help you avoid manipulation in 2010!

5 Behaviors of Manipulative People by Brett Blumenthal – Sheer Balance, on Wed Dec 2, 2009 9:40am PST

Masters of manipulation should be recognized, feared and immediately stopped before damage is done to one and all.  Manipulation hurts and destroys trust.  Those in a position of power who manipulate the uninformed are the most evil and cause the most pain. 

In my life, the honor for 2009 goes to the management agent of a well known Condo on the gulf coast.   They have reigned over the unit owners for many years by using the manipulation tactics outlined in this post.  Legal issues and/or condo by-laws have no meaning when the governance board is susceptible to management’s manipulation.  I place the blame more on the board of directors than management.  They should know better and garner the votes to stop the misuse of power. 

Management has mastered all the traits listed in this excellent post and have used them all to their own financial advantage at the expense of unit owners.  The cost to unit owners cannot be accurately calculated.  I believe the records are manipulated to their advantage as well – no proof but feel strongly about this point which shows lack of trust.  It is a huge cost in dollars plus the damage to unit owner’s quality of life is oppressive. 

If only the unit owners – who pay a large sum of money each month for very little service - could read Brett’s  post  and understand that the problem is the MANAGER – who has proven by their actions to be unqualified, unprofessional and selfish.  If anyone disagrees with or questions  management, you are immediately characterized as a “troublemaker” then your motives and character are questioned - reference  #5.  And that has worked well for management for many years.

I know the unit owners and board will not see the light before more money is wasted and more people are hurt.  Such a shame … and all because of manipulation.

DISCLOSURE:  Resemblance to any actual condo manager or board member is strictly a coincidence and resides totally in the mind or perception of the person or person(s) who believe(s) this post is about them.

Excellent Wall Street Journal article Why Email No Longer Rules … by Jessica E. Vascellaro about the change from email to faster tools like FaceBook & Twitter and the consequences for the user’s trade off for speed.  Link

If you’ve never Tweeted, Re-Tweeted, FaceBooked (not counting family/friends ) Linked-In, you’ve never followed an RSS feed, or commented on a CNN or Fox News blog post; you don’t even follow weather alerts on your smart phone … then this blog is for you. My question to you is Why? Why are we not participating?

I’ve read blog posts on why we should participate and looked at statistics which indicate that if we don’t participate we are doomed. I’ve hired/partnered with a Web 2.0 consultant, read books (Cluetrain, The Whuffie Factor, both I’ll have to read again to really get) but I’m still not taking action. I’ve made little personal contribution to the community. Why? And, why aren’t you?

I realize that those I’m asking are probably not reading this. Unless they are referred here by someone, they may never see the question? There is a community out there, just like me, who could tell me what they think; help me answer my question. Yet they won’t see this. Hummm … this is a problem.

In an effort to begin taking action, I will post this (feeling very insecure) and see what happens. If all I’ve read is true, then there are many who need to comment, want to comment, but will not – Why?

Experienced social media gurus need not try to answer this question. You can’t. You’ve done your best. I’ve heard you, read your words of wisdom and appreciate all I’ve learned. Unfortunately, you can’t help me. Only people at this level of inexperience can comment authoritatively on my question. The best you can do for people you know like me is to direct them here to answer my question. It would be good for me and for them.

A possible solution is a focus group of newbies who are interested in answering the question, but don’t want to answer online. Are they more comfortable with a physical location and casual atmosphere for discriminating people who want to meet for conversation and a hand’s on experience? Ok, let me know that. I’d like to know if that group exists too.

If you are inclined, answer my question here, at your convenience, dress is casual – just leave your comment below. You may sign your post anonymous if you want. The important thing is to tell me why you haven’t made the plunge, yet. Feel free to send a private email to Sheila@SheilaHensley.com with your response if you prefer.

Whatever is more comfortable for the reader is fine on this blog … which is for you.

At The Fillin Station in Biloxi, MS

Located one block North of Hard Rock Casino on Main.

The Fillin Station is local and fast becoming the place to be for open air and inside food, drink and conversation and friendship … everybody knows your name.

Last evening while enjoying the night air on the patio with friends I was fortunate to witness something special. Speckles, a mid-size Dalmatian, walked through the patio area on leash with her owner and headed straight to obviously her favorite bar stool inside. She jumped up without hesitation and sat square to the bar as if waiting to be served. I could tell this had happened many times and was not unusual. Speckles had my attention.

The Back Story: Speckles began sitting on bar stools when owner, Don (as he does year round) bar hopped in his boat to Casino bars along Casino Row in Biloxi. One evening Speckels couldn’t stand not being part of the crowd, left the boat and jumped on a bar stool beside her owner. No one objected so she became the celebrity dog of the area; welcomed by all and reveared by many. I am now one of her many fans.

Couldn’t help but ask for a picture. She is always served her special meat balls (each bartender tries to impress her with their newest and best offering hoping she will favor them) and they serve her the usual glass of beer which she laps occasionally … just to be sociable.

You know … a Southern lady should never drink too much was her response with her eyes when I ask if she was enjoying her beer.