ASWA Silicon Valley Chapter—Newsletter (Current Assets)

Are you involved with a community or non-profit organization? Does your group need additional volunteers? Do you know another active member who is too shy to toot her own horn? Tell the newsletter! Email Louise McCracken at louisemccracken@att.net

March
We have a great meeting planned for this month covering the latest and greatest developments of Microsoft's program, Excel. This spreadsheet has become a valuable tool for so many in the Accounting and Finance professions.

Living in Silicon Valley, we have all experienced how the creative genius tends to reinvent technology about every five years. Do you remember when watching movies at home became commonplace with the introduction of VHS tapes and VCR tape players and recorders. In a blink we were recording our favorite television programs on an internal drive called Tivo.

DVD's replaced VHS and CD's replaced vinyl records and cassette tapes. Now we are into Blu-Ray which appears to be the emerging technology to replace DVD. Cell phones are turning into smart phones which are quickly becoming a glorified hand-held desktop computer.

Laptops are the next best piece of office equipment as the chunky desk is replaced with cubicles and workstations where work surfaces adjust in height so you can stand or sit while working. Agronomics is developed as it becomes important to maintain a healthier environment to maintain the optimum level of production with Employees.

Environmental awareness embraces technology as more companies strive to become paperless with their business activities. As Computer equipment and accessories continue to develop, another blink and we will notice that keyboards will disappear and be replaced with laser concepts. What will we approach tomorrow, next week, next month or next year? Only the imagination can phantom the possibilities.

Programs we utilize on a daily basis are enhanced and improved with every step technology which can make the most seasoned Professional struggle to keep up with rest of the emerging workforce of the next generation. Tech Mentors is a service that specializes in training people to develop and enhance their existing skills to keep up with the never ending improvements.

Tom Chandler was absolutely wonderful showing us so many wonderful features of Outlook that truly enhanced our awareness. For those of us who had the delightful experience with Tom, we are all looking forward to Maria's presentation on Excel later this month to increase our knowledge with the program. Don't miss this opportunity; we are looking forward to seeing you.

Louise McCracken
Silicon Valley ASWA Newsletter Editor

December
The Holiday Season starts at Halloween. Probably because that is my target date to have all my Christmas Shopping done. Then Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years tend to follow so closely together, there are occasions where you look back in mid-January asking yourself “What Happened?” There was a time where I enjoyed making my own Chritmas cards and had them sent out the night after Thanksgiving after spending the day putting up the decorations outside for annual contest. But life has it's twists and turns, I am finding myself unmotivated to maintain the Holiday spirit and the annual contest has been cancelled in the wake of the bust with the Economy. As we encounter the roller coaster of life, it is best to reflect upon our blessings experienced throughout the past year. For the most part, it usually brings hope and encouragement for the year to come.

Louise McCracken
Silicon Valley ASWA Newsletter Editor

November
In consideration of last months meeting, I have a few words and experiences to share in reference to communication. As we all know how important it is to properly express ourselves and have active listening skills, my perspective is from the hearing impaired.

As I had experienced hearing loss for myself, communication issues became quite apparent with daily activity. When I got hearing aids, I was amazed with what I had been missing. Improvement in my relationship with Colleagues at the office, Friends and Family members was immediate. When I picked up the hearing aids, I was given information that was helpful as I became accustomed to my new environment. This became very useful for both sides of the spectrum. Here are some primary facts that eliminate much of the frustration…

Background noise: Familiar sounds will be louder and other sounds will suddenly become more apparent than before. This can be distracting for awhile.
Voices: Your own voice will sound different and listening to one person at a time is necessary for the first few months.
Patience: Both the hearing impaired person and others communicating with them can be frustrated. Please pay attention to the following facts.

Get the attention of the person you wish to conduct a conversation. The level of understanding is increased. Face the person, eye contact is important. Please do not yell over the cubicle wall or from another room.
Distance from the other person is paramount to the conversation. Depending upon the amount of hearing loss, focus is diminished with as little as two feet from the other person.
Speak a little slower and articulate. Part of hearing loss is "word distortion." It is common to talk quickly when you are excited about the content of the conversation, but it causes the words to blend together. Thus, the other party hears as bunch of mumbling and not the conversation.

I have been amazed how much I have recently noticed that people put their hands or objects in front of their mouth when speaking. Not only is it distracting to the listener, it also interferes with the conversation. Body language provides a stronger impression than the words do, on more occasions than you may realize. A hearing impaired person pays more attention to nonverbal expressions as not every word can be understood. It takes mere seconds to understand a mood or how sincere the person is during the chat.

With recent developments in technology, it is quickly becoming easier to communicate. However, the downside is the fact that the element of human interaction is diminished. For example, you send an email to family and friends about an accomplishment. Hours later, you receive an angry reply from a friend who miss-interpreted a sentence or phrase. Many consider this the "tone" of the message. As the communication skills can vary from person to person, it is important to proofread your message carefully before hitting the send button.

Being involved with organizations like ASWA, I noticed that there are preferred communication styles. Some would like to get a phone call as opposed to receiving an email message. As we pay more attention to our impact on the environment, some prefer to see information on a computer screen and eliminate as much paper as possible. Becoming aware and paying attention to how we communicate with other people is essential. Over time as we master our communication skills, we lead the way for others to follow.

Louise McCracken
Silicon Valley ASWA Newsletter Editor