According to a recent survey, dog owners say that they would work more hours for less pay if they could bring their dog to work with them.

I guess that would work better than cats. When I sit at my desk, one of my Great Danes tries to push his Kong into my lap. That’s distracting, but at least I can still work, in between throwing the Kong. One of my cats, Hobbes, lies on the desk across my arm, preventing me from using the mouse until he gets his requisite share of pets and scratches.

Read more about the survey here.

Remember when you were a kid, and you had to face the first day at a new school? Remember the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach and the certain knowledge that no one was going to like you, and you’d be alone and friendless forever? Want to go back there in an instant?

Start a new job.

Even the most self-confident, assertive adult can be reduced to a cringing 6-year-old when faced with starting a new job.

Cathy Goodwin has a wonderful article on job change and how to get through those first scary days. Check it out on her blog.

Would you benefit from leveraging public speaking opportunities?

Mark Rosenberger, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) has done it again.

Mark just announced his highly-anticipated program for 2006:

“Grow Rich by Speaking for FREE!”

It’s the ultimate mentoring program to help you find, book, present and leverage public speaking opportunities to grow your business!

Check out his site here.

I’ve spoken personally with Mark. He’s given me the Grow Rich by Speaking for FREE! promise. As a graduate of this mentoring program you will discover:

• How to book as many speaking engagements as you desire with almost no effort or energy.

• How to speak to a Program Planner so they DEMAND you come speak to their group IMMEDIATELY.

• How to leverage every talk you give and generate subscribers, buyers and future clients, every time.

• The art of taking a single talk and creating five new opportunities with just one strategy.

• How to put together marketing materials that will showcase you as the expert.

...and that’s just scratching the surface.

I don’t know how this sounds to you, but I think it sounds like the most important thing you can do for promoting your business in 2006.

And the best part— I know Mark has almost two decades of finding, booking, presenting and leveraging public speaking opportunities. That’s what he does for a living.

This is a complete, street-tested, step-by-step strategy to book, present and leverage public presentation opportunities that will spread your message like wildfire to people who want to hear about what you have to offer.

Imagine what that could do for you—increased visibility that will grow your business and sell your products.

Plus, his programs are always dynamic and fun-filled with strategies you can apply the very next day.

Learn more here.

*** When you’re there, you can instantly download the six part e-course: “Speaking Your Way to Success.”

Make this the year you learn to leverage public speaking opportunities!

To your success!

I recently discovered a remarkable little program called “My Daily Insights”. When you sign up, they will send you a neat little inspirational quote every morning in your e-mail—and it’s absolutely free! It sounds like such a small thing, but I find I’m looking forward to it when I open my e-mail every morning.

Click on the logo below to sign up. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

When you think of networking, do you envision a smoke-filled room full of balding guys wearing plaid polyester suits, and business cards flying like confetti?

That’s so last century.

The modern networker uses everyday opportunities to meet people. It’s not about the “business” any longer—it’s about connecting and relating to people at all levels and in all walks of life. You never know who might your next big client!

Michael Port offer some valuable tips on networking over on his Book Yourself Solid blog. Check it out here.