TriSec is going green

Beginning this year, TriSec is going green. Falmouth will not provide printed presentation handouts for any of the workshops. Instead, workshop presentation handouts will be available for download prior to the conference so that attendees can print handouts they would like to bring to the conference. We appreciate your support as we do our part for the environment!

See our recent blog post about how to green your office by clicking here.

Remember to visit www.triseconline.com for complete information about the conference and to view the brochure! We can't wait to see you there!

TriSec Web site update

Learning, networking and fun eagerly await you once again at Falmouth Institute’s Annual Tribal Secretaries Conference. Celebrate your achievements as an administrative professional in Anaheim at TriSec 16. Hundreds of tribal secretaries and administrative assistants will join Falmouth at the Anaheim Hilton for this unique learning experience. You don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity!

Complete information on the conference is now available at www.triseconline.com. We can't wait to see you there!

Microsoft® Excel: Beyond the basics

Each of us is familiar with Microsoft® Excel, but do we truly know the extent of Excel's potential? There are secrets lurking in the Data menus that are rarely tapped into. Discover the ins and outs of Pivot Tables. With advanced Excel skills you can create slick charts with the single click of a button, but do you know which button? This workshop covers Excel skills that unleash the true power of this program.

Do you use Microsoft® Excel often? Make the most of this extraordinary program. Join us at TriSec 16 and participate in this hands-on workshop! 2009 is right around the corner! We look forward to seeing you in Anaheim.

TriSec 16 keynote speaker announced!

TriSec 16 keynote speaker Cheewa James, a well-known speaker and corporate trainer, was born on the Klamath Indian Reservation in Oregon and is an enrolled member of the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma. She is a notable author with numerous articles and books in print, including her latest book, MODOC: The Tribe That Wouldn’t Die, which is the story of her own tribe.

Join Falmouth in welcoming this phenomenal and inspirational speaker, who will help TriSec 16 attendees learn how to find emotional balance and develop skills that help to better manage themselves and their relationships. Combat stress, continue your personal growth and remain bold and creative.

Taming emotions with your co-workers

Highly emotional situations with co-workers sometimes present themselves in the workplace. Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment that you later realized you shouldn't have said? Earn a reputation as someone who is mature, reliable and professional by learning how to focus and remain calm in these tricky situations.

• Examine your own behavior. First, ask yourself if you are doing anything to provoke your co-worker. If a co-worker is upsetting you, avoid accidentally expressing your exasperation. Avoid shaking your head, rolling your eyes, sighing, groaning or using sarcastic tones.
  
  
• Control emotional encounters. When upset by a colleague, keep your body language and speaking tone neutral and non-threatening. Breathe deeply. Pause between sentences. Slowing down will help you maintain control. If the conversation gets too heated, walk away and try again when both of your tempers have cooled.
  
  
• Take the issue to your boss. Some conflicts are difficult and sometimes impossible to resolve on your own.
  
• Explore your options by writing down what is frustrating you. Once you see your situation in writing, you may realize that it’s not worth mentioning.
• Frame issues objectively. Don’t simply blame the other person. You might want to say something like, “Carol and I seem to be having a conflict that’s affecting our work and I’d like your help with resolving it.”
  
  
• Keep emotions out of e-mail. Ponder on your situation for a day or so. Have a colleague review your e-mail message before you send it, to make sure that there isn’t an angry tone or any questionable phrasing.

Join Falmouth Institute at TriSec 16 to get more professional tips like these!

Tips for professional employees

When working in a professional environment, employees need to understand that success often depends as much on projecting a professional image as on the quality of their work. There are three things that must be done to project a professional image:

1. Adjust to the organization’s culture. Observe the attire that is worn in the workplace and what workspaces look like.
   
   • Adapt to the communication style.
     
   • Dress to impress.
     
   • Establish a professional workspace.
     

2. Avoid mistakes that undermine professionalism. First impressions are important, but new employees will find that the key — or the road block — to success in the long term lies in their conduct on the job.
   
   • Don’t let personal distractions interfere with your work.
     
   • Don’t give inappropriate opinions.
     
   • Don’t overwhelm your coworkers.
     

3. Create career-boosting alliances. Any organization is a network of allies that provides opportunities to thrive and progress.
   
   • Join project teams.
     
   • Find something to praise.
     
   • Be a diplomat and welcome input.
     
   • Be helpful.
     

Join Falmouth Institute at TriSec 16 to get more professional tips like these!

Networking skills

With the support of the network that you build, you can achieve miraculous and wonderful results and accomplishments. Though it may seem intimidating at first, there’s nothing unusual or difficult about networking. It’s simply about people being friendly, considerate and helpful.

Some helpful networking tips:

1. Quality vs. quantity. The number of people you know doesn’t matter. It’s the quality of your contacts that does. Ask yourself: Who are the decision makers? Influencers? Who can help you and how?


2. Follow through. Nothing can kill a budding relationship faster than not writing a proper thank-you note. In many cases, you can e-mail it, but don’t assume the content is any less important than in snail mail. A three-line message with a smiley face won’t cut it. Keep the other person abreast of how your meeting went with someone he or she referred you to.


3. Use your existing ties. Tap into existing contacts, including friends, family and ex-colleagues. Spread the word that you’re looking to expand your network and ask if anyone has a contact who might have similar goals, interests or achievements. Then, ask every person you meet for two or three more referrals. (“Do you know anyone else who might be helpful for me to meet?” can be an effective question.)


4. Unlearn shyness. Research shows that we learn shyness. As a child you wander over to someone at a playground, introduce yourself and play. As we get older we experience rejection so we learn to shy away from being friendly. If shyness is an issue for you, start a conversation with a stranger in the elevator just before you have to get off. Say something quick, such as, “Great tie,” or, “Have a nice day.” Too often, shyness is misinterpreted as indifference and you don’t want to send that message. Think friendly.

Get more professional excellence tips like these at TriSec 16!