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December 2009
Executive Errands eNewsletter
Knowledge Is a Gift Worth Giving
In This Issue
Our Favorite Things
Service Provider Spotlight - So California Sliding Door
One Phone Call Is All It Takes
Service Provider Spotlight - Safe-T-Proof
Announcements
Service Provider Spotlight - David Davis Financial Organizing
Our Holiday Special
News, Events, Misc
Editorial Correction
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Greetings!
 
My daughter posted this update on Facebook: "3 yr olds with a baseball bat - not a good idea".  Now that statement, while funny, conjures up a number of unfortunate scenarios.   
 
TazMy youngest grandson is what you might call 'a bold one'.  His brother is 8 years older so the little guy does things way beyond his years.  Worse, he has no fear.  Zero. Nada, None. 
 
It is frightening to his Nana (me) to see him race around corners and pop wheelies on a two-wheeled bicycle (without training wheels).  He will climb any mountain (or jungle gym), fling himself off tall buildings (or the bed), jump head first into the river (or the pool) - you must watch him EVERY SINGLE SECOND lest he do injury to himself or others.  All I can say is: I'm glad I raised daughters, whew.

MentoringEven though I laughed when I read the status post about the baseball bat (everyone is fine by the way), it made me think about the child in all of us and how we struggle between cautiousness and fearlessness. 
 
Personally, I've always ascribed to the 'all out' approach - preferring to race headlong into new adventures rather than take the safe or easy path. This approach has served me fairly well (albeit slightly bruised on occasion) in all aspects of my life.

However, there is one thing I've learned after years of stubborn fearlessness, and that is to work smarter rather than harder.  And for me 'smarter' means seeking out mentors and those people who bear the badge of experience.  Mentors are people who offer guidance, support and encouragement and who provide the 'lessons learned' that help you achieve your goals with a few less bumps on your head.

mentoring girlYou see, there really is no need to know everything about everything.  What you DO need to know is where to find the information necessary to accomplish whatever you've set out to do.  In order to recognize a potential mentor, you first must learn how to recognize true and relevant experience, extrapolate that experience and then apply the pertinent parts to your own situation. 
 
To do this properly you must ask questions.  There is no need to reveal your own business or personal challenges.  Just ask questions and then listen, really listen, to the war stories of others.  Take what feels right and leave the rest behind because, at the end of the day, all choices, paths and decisions are ultimately yours. 
 
mentor org chartThere is a Japanese proverb that says "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher."  Welcome a mentor into your life, learn from the experiences of others, and willingly share your own experiences when given the opportunity to do so. 
 
And remember, each day life will send you little windows of opportunity. Your success in life will ultimately be defined by how you respond to them.  Shy away from them and your life will be small, feel the fear and run to them anyway, and your life will be big.  Life's just too short to play little - baseball bats, by the way, are optional.
  
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Executive Errands goes beyond the usual, regular and customary to free up your life. 
 
www.executive-errands.com 
or call us today at 760.469.2487

Our Favorite Things 

Desert Best Friends Closet

When you have new, unworn or gently worn clothing you'd like to donate, please consider Desert Best Friends Closet (DBFC).

DBFCThis 501(c)3 charity collects clothing specifically for men and women reentering the work place and who need interview and work appropriate attire.
 
According to DBFC's recent newsletter:
 
In a recent survey of Human Resource Officers:
 
--85% hesitate to hire someone who does not present themselves professionally during job interviews
--60% admit they judge a person's appearance first
--67% believe unprofessionally attired applicants to be sloppy, careless workers
 
With the competition for jobs at an all time high, we should all do whatever we can to help level the playing field.  DBFC does just that by distributing clothing donations to local charities and governmental agencies.
 
For donation guidelines, please visit their website at www.bfcloset.org or email at [email protected]
 
Desert Best Friends Closet, one of our favorite things!
 
 
["Our Favorite Things" gives us an opportunity to share people, places, events and things that we truly love and that you might too.  We have no business affiliation with any company or individual featured here.  We just want to share good things with you and if our recommendations help build business for someone else or saves you time or money, GREAT!!!]
Service Provider Spotlight
So California Sliding Door
 
So Cal Sliding DoorDo you struggle with your sliding glass doors? Here in the Desert especially, it seems the rollers and tracks take a beating from sun and sand.  It is no longer necessary to fight them - introducing So California Sliding Door to the Executive Errands network!
 
So California Sliding Door is a family owned and operated business who offers personalized and quality service.  Not only do they repair or replace sliding doors, but also mirrors, shower doors, wardrobe doors and windows.
 
Save your wrists and your backs - get your doors and windows serviced today!
 
For more information please contact Kyle at 760.574.7621 or by email at [email protected] and of course you can request any of their services through Executive Errands
 
With one simple call, we can arrange anything you need......
 
conciergepostitDid you know that Executive Errands has two Divisions?  Obviously the first is our Personal Concierge services.  In this Division we offer personalized assistance - laundry, absentee home checks, shopping, filing, reservations, gift wrapping, general errands - the list is pretty much endless.
 
Our other Division is comprised of a stellar network of licensed, insured and local Service Providers who share our commitment to high quality customer service.  
 
When selecting companies for our Service Provider network, we look for services that help protect your home investment and/or services that help simplify your life.
 
service provider servicesThe range of services Executive Errands offers is vast and broad - everything from housekeeping to solar energy alternatives.  We can assist with party planning, catering, pest control, preventative maintenance for your home or office, remodeling, repairs and luxury services.
 
And Executive Errands is committed not only to quality customer service, but also to doing our part to help the Desert economy by only accepting local businesses into our network.
 
You know, there is nothing magic about finding great Service Providers - it takes work, due diligence, and personal vetting to ensure we're offering the best companies to our clients and the communities we service.
 
concierge signReferrals to our Service Providers are free to the requestor and can be obtained either by calling our Customer Service line at 760.898.9604 or through our website at www.executive-errands.com
 
When accessing our website, click on 'Contractor Services' and follow the instructions - you'll receive an email advising you of the company or companies who will contact you for your specific project.
 
Executive Errands - we go beyond the usual, regular and customary to help simplify your life!
Service Provider Spotlight
 
Safe-T-Proof
Earthquake Safety
 
SafeTProofWe've all heard the 'Big One' is just a matter of time.  Scary as that sounds, we often get complacent about protecting our valuables.  Enter Safe-T-Proof, one of Executive Errands newest Service Providers. 
 
This earthquake safety company is the only one in the area (to our knowledge) who will come to your home or office to perform safety assessments to determine which items should be secured to protect them from damage in the event of an earthquake.
 
Safe-T-Proof also offers the products and hardware required to secure your valuables and has technicians trained in securing even the most challenging items.
 
For more info about Safe-T-Proof, please contact Ken at 760.399.6304 or by email at [email protected]   
 or
Executive Errands
Announcements.... 
 
Reminder:  There are now four ways to reach us:
 
 
~Our Customer Service line 760.898.9604 
 
~Our regular number 760.469.2487 
 
~Our toll free number 888.777.4771
 
~Our fax number 760.406.9394 
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We have a new Homeowner Reference Brochure!brochure front
 
This brochure offers a comprehensive list of our Concierge services and Service Provider referrals.
 
To request brochures, please email
 [email protected]  or call us on our Customer Service line.
Service Provider Spotlight
 
David Davis Financial Organizing
 
It's that time of the year again, when we drag out our shoeboxes stuffed with receipts and sit down for the agonizing task of sorting, cataloging and readying ourselves for tax season.
 
paper stacksThis year, why not hire someone to organize your financials?  David Davis Financial Organizing has worked with the IRS and is experienced with the flags that trip audits (and can therefore help you avoid one).
 
In addition to personal financial organization, David Davis offers assistance with debt reduction, budget creation, credit counseling, identity theft audits, and reconciliation for bank statements and checkbooks.
 
If you can use a personal financial organizer, David Davis is the company for you!  Like all Executive Errands Service Providers, David Davis Financial Organizing is insured and local. 
 
For more information, please contact David at 760.832.7404 or email at [email protected]
 
Remember, with one simple call, Executive Errands can arrange anything you need! 

Executive Errands 760.469.2487

Our Special For The Holidays

In order to help save you time and money, Executive Errands is offeringgift cert time a special - Four Hours of Concierge Services for $200*.  This special is available for yourself or as a gift certificate.

This offer is valid for the month of December and may be redeemed in the months of December 2009 and January 2010.
 
Executive Errands can help free up your life or the lives of your family and friends. 
 
And don't forget - all of our Service Providers offer gift certificates too - give us a call and we'll help you get them in time for holiday gift-giving.
 
Executive Errands:
Our Elves are ready to assist you!
760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com
 
*This special applies to new hour purchases only and does not replace or affect any monthly contracts currently in place.  This offer is not valid for Service Provider services.
News, Events, Misc.... 
 
The annual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon held on Nov 14 at Desert Island by the Rancho Mirage/Cathedral City Soroptimist Club (of which we are a member) was a huge success! 
 
Soroptimist logoPatrick Evans of CBS2 news displayed his usual humor and kept the event moving along nicely. 
 
The fashions provided by Coldwater Creek were beautiful and the Live Auction was both spirited and lucrative for our charity. 
 
Initial gross numbers place the event somewhere around $16,000 - a record for our club!
 
A special 'thank you' to our sponsors and to all of our friends in attendance.  Your participation is the reason this event was so successful!
 
Proceeds from this event benefit House of Hope and other Coachella Valley charities. 
Editorial Correction
 
The contact information for W Hoffmann Construction is Karen at [email protected]
change agentOne of my responsibilities as a consultant in the Aerospace industry was to act as a Change Agent
 
When you bring groups of people together in an attempt to facilitate change, it becomes glaringly apparent there is a finite set of personality types in the group.  One of those personalities is the Tribal Knowledge person.  Tribal Knowledge is company specific information about policies, procedures and operational practices.

Typically the Tribal Knowledge person is in a mid or lower level managerial position, has been with the company a very long time and he (or she) is the 'go to' person when others have questions or issues. 
 
balloon optionsIt is extremely common for the Tribal Knowledge person to have a sense of propriety for the knowledge he possesses and is therefore reluctant to share it.  This propriety is due to the mistaken belief that if he shares the knowledge, it will somehow lessen his value in the Company.

This could not be further from the truth.  True Leaders understand the more you share your knowledge with others, the more valuable you become.  When you educate, train and mentor others you enhance their ability to do their job properly which not only reflects favorably on you but also bodes well for the company as a whole.

The next time you have an opportunity to mentor someone, embrace it because the more of youself you give out - whether that is knowledge, love, positive energy or kindness - the more you receive.  Knowledge is one of the best gifts you can give.

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ornament'Tis the Season to be Jolly.......

As we enter the heart of the Holiday Season, we hope you experience peace, love and harmony with those people you hold dear.  We also hope you'll make time to support your favorite charity or volunteer time to a worthy cause and yes, do a little mentoring.
 
There is so much to celebrate: our lives, our family and friends, the reassuring and familiar sounds of carols, a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly evening, the heartwarming ring of a child's laughter.
 
The simple things in life bring the most joy.  
 
From all of us here at Executive Errands, we wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year!
 
Sincerely, 
 
Leslie Spoor ICEA
760.469.2487
 
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Desert Welcome VIP 
Contact Greg Jones at 760.413.7747 to find out about Desert Welcome's VIP Realtor Package.  Executive Errands joins a select group of Partners who add value to this elite Welcome Gift basket.
 
Greg may be contacted by email at [email protected]