Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.
Edgar Allen Poe


 

Don't be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That's only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself.
Olga Korbut   

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.
Dalai Lama


 

Need a little color inspiration for your next room painting project? We're loving the cool new Chip It! tool from Sherwin Williams that lets you turn any online picture into a paint-chip card. It's simple, just plug in the URL of the picture, and you instantly get a 5-color palette that's based on the colors in the picture. Try it and you'll be hooked. Even if you don't have a project in the works, you may find yourself dreaming up places to paint!  

T he average LinkedIn member's 2nd degree network provides access to an additional 6,000 companies, 130 industries, and 9,000 people. Members who grow their networks are 30% more likely to find jobs.

Source: Data post inspired by Reid Hoffman's new book, The Startup of You.

If you've ever listened to a complicated explanation from a doctor then walked away wondering just what was said, you will understand the importance of health literacy [PDF]. Health literacy refers to the capacity people have to understand basic health and service information needed to make appropriate health decisions. It is estimated that 90 million people in the United States have limited health literacy skills, which is linked to higher rates of hospitalization and higher use of emergency services*.

When writing patient communications for the health care industry, we always keep in mind the importance of choosing the right words to get a sometimes complex message across in a manner that's easy to read and understand. One resource we like is the Health Communication Tips [PDF] published by Health Research for Action at UC Berkley, which provides plain language alternatives for complex ideas. Some examples include "sickness" or "illness" instead of "ailment" and "problem" instead of "dysfunction." Using plain language in your health care patient communications is one way we help to ensure a true understanding between health care professionals and patients.

*Source: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion, 2004

High Point recently partnered with Peggy Lauritsen Design Group to create an animation for Ecolab. High Point developed the content for this engaging video that helps customers take a proactive approach to pest prevention and bed bugs.