With over 3 million young adults graduating from high school every year in the U.S., close to 100,000 graduating from College with a Bachelor’s degree, and add to that more graduating with an advanced degree, there’s a lot to celebrate! http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/celebrate-graduation-day/feed/ 0 http://www.southworth.com/2012/branding/power-presentation/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/branding/power-presentation/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 10:01:44 +0000 Rahna Barthelmess http://www.southworth.com/?p=9064 The Power of Presentation (May 4, 2012) by Rahna Barthelmess, Small Business Consultant In branding, how you present something is just as important (if not more important) than what you present. Cooks understand this when they spend a long time deliberating over which plate to use and what garnishes to use when putting a superb dinner together. It’s not just about the flavor of the food. It needs to be as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. When I first graduated from college, I had the privilege to land one of the few coveted positions at a top New York ad agency in their account executive training program. One of the most memorable lessons I learned was... ]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/branding/power-presentation/feed/ 1 http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-paper-high-tech-world/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-paper-high-tech-world/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:24:11 +0000 Cullen Rodgers http://www.southworth.com/?p=9055 The Power of Paper in a High Tech World (April 27, 2012) by Cullen Rodgers, Product Developer, Social Expressions

A couple of years ago I attended Paperworld, an annual tradeshow held in Frankfurt, Germany. It’s one of the largest industry shows, packed with manufacturers and factories promoting all kinds of paper related goods. As I walked the seemingly endless halls of the show, what became quickly obvious was the large number of vendors that participate in each category, all jockeying for their position in the industry – an industry that, let’s face it, has been hit hard by technology. What does the future hold for this industry? Is it likely that we are headed towards a paperless society?

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-paper-high-tech-world/feed/ 0 http://www.southworth.com/2012/networking/stand-business-follow/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/networking/stand-business-follow/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:15:37 +0000 Kathy McAfee http://www.southworth.com/?p=8785 Stand Out in Business with Your Follow Up April 20, 2012 by Kathy McAfee, America’s Marketing Motivator

In many ways, standing out in business is easier than you think it is. It’s the basic things that still count for a lot. If you’re a handyman, return your service calls promptly. If you are plumber, wear pants that fit and clean up your job sites. If you are a job seeker, show up on time for your interviews and dress professionally. If you are a business owner, stay in touch with your key clients, prospects and networking contacts on a regular basis. If you an entrepreneur or sales professional, follow up, follow up, follow up. That’s where your fortune lies. Why is follow up so important?

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/networking/stand-business-follow/feed/ 0 http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/personal-connection-fine-paper/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/personal-connection-fine-paper/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:17:10 +0000 Susan Wytrych http://www.southworth.com/?p=8817 Make a Personal Connection with Fine Paper (April 13, 2012) by Susan Wytrych, Product Manager, Southworth Brand

Whether it’s that perfect pair of shoes or that “just right” piece of furniture in your home, the personal stationery you send communicates something special about you – your sense of style. Stationery continues to be one of the most elegant and distinctive forms of communication. Whether you are looking for personal correspondence cards or business letterhead, there are many paper options to help stamp your personality on your custom-made stationery.

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/personal-connection-fine-paper/feed/ 0 http://www.southworth.com/2012/legal/5-wardrobe-tips-interviews-men%e2%80%99s-edition/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/legal/5-wardrobe-tips-interviews-men%e2%80%99s-edition/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:26:41 +0000 Shauna Bryce http://www.southworth.com/?p=8740 5 Wardrobe Tips for Interviews (Men’s Edition) April 6, 2012 by Shauna C. Bryce, Esq.

Since most of my clients are applying to work in conservative, professional environments like law firms, investment banks, and corporations, I advise them to wear conservative, professional dress when going on an interview. That means a dark colored suit, a white or otherwise light-colored dress shirt, and a tie. Even within those constraints, there’s plenty of room for error for the unwary or inexperienced job seeker.

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/legal/5-wardrobe-tips-interviews-men%e2%80%99s-edition/feed/ 1 http://www.southworth.com/2012/etiquette/bread-butter-plate/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/etiquette/bread-butter-plate/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:22:25 +0000 Cricket Wantland http://www.southworth.com/?p=8677 Wedding Etiquette: Which is My Bread and Butter Plate? March 30, 2012 by Cricket Wantland, Business Etiquette Consultant

“Bread as a particular symbol and food in general, becomes, in its sharing the actual bond which unites us” - Margaret Visser As the wedding season begins, Southworth Paper has beautiful templates to create wonderful wedding programs to keep guests informed. But when you sit down at a wedding reception, do you know which plate to use for your roll?

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/etiquette/bread-butter-plate/feed/ 1 http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-employee-recognition/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-employee-recognition/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:00:23 +0000 Cullen Rodgers http://www.southworth.com/?p=8655 The Power of Employee Recognition (March 23, 2012) by Cullen Rodgers, Product Developer, Social Expressions

No doubt - it’s been a difficult economic environment over the past several years. Businesses have been forced to make some hard decisions. Employees have had to weather the uncertainty of job security. Unemployment rates have remained high, and the competition for any jobs that are available is fierce. The result that this has on everyone in the work force is great. As employees, we ask ourselves questions like: Am I a valued employee? Is my position necessary? What does my future look like? How do I stack up against others in my field or organization? Will I have a job 6 months from now? The psychological impact can be devastating, leading to self-doubt and low self-esteem.

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/power-employee-recognition/feed/ 1 http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/irish-wine-green-beer/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/irish-wine-green-beer/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:01:22 +0000 smartin http://www.southworth.com/?p=8561 Irish Wine or Green Beer? Consult the Experts March 16, 2012 by Susan Martin, Project Manager, Marketing Communications

May I start out by saying “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” to all. I may not be Irish but I never turn down an excuse for a party. Besides, everyone's Irish on St. Paddy's Day. So I will don my favorite (only) green sweater for the occasion and if the weather cooperates, I might even join the throngs along the parade route. But what I really look forward to is our annual corned beef dinner shared with family and friends.

]]> http://www.southworth.com/2012/thoughtsfromsouthworth/irish-wine-green-beer/feed/ 0 http://www.southworth.com/2012/branding/business-cards-work/ http://www.southworth.com/2012/branding/business-cards-work/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:17:43 +0000 Rahna Barthelmess http://www.southworth.com/?p=8486 Business Cards That Work

(March 9, 2012) By Rahna Barthelmess, Business Branding Consultant It’s just a little bit of paper… just two inches high by three inches wide, just an unassuming piece of paper with a name and a phone number on it….so why is it so important? Because it’s your business card! Oftentimes, it is one of the first impressions that is made about you and/or your company, and you will want it to be a good one!

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