Reputation Management

Reputation Management

10/01/2012 -Previous | Next | Issues Home

Sharon Housley -- None of us enjoys having our name, our company, or our product smeared and sullied online. So it's important to use the tools within your grasp to manage your reputation and minimize the impact of any defamatory comments. 

The Internet is a bit like the old wild west, and sadly, people often post material about an individual, product, company, or service that is inaccurate or simply nasty. Businesses and individuals alike are struggling with how to best deal with online inaccuracy and defamation. The normal steps for dealing with defamation typically involve litigation, but this is not always realistic for Internet-based situations since the Internet is global, and not managed or governed by any single set of laws.

If you have the good fortune of being located in the same legal jurisdiction as the offending poster and their website hosting company, you might be able to successfully prosecute them; or at the very least, you might be able to get the webpage with the offending material taken down by the website host. Keep in mind that most defamation court cases require that you show that actual harm was done by the offending material, which can often be difficult.

Of course, even if you are able to remove the initial post, cross your fingers that it was not part of a syndicated blog using RSS feeds. If the posting was syndicated, it will truly be an uphill battle to track down and remove all copies.

But despite the fact that legal action is rarely successful, do not despair -- there are still some things that you can do!

1. Face it head on

If you see a webpage or blog post that contains inaccurate information, face it head on. Contact the poster, tell them why the information is inaccurate, provide sources if appropriate, and give them the opportunity to correct it. Keep your communication professional, and stick to the factual inaccuracies; do not get into a debate about opinions.

2. Do not argue; offer a solution

Instead If there is a problem that is highlighted in the post, such as a situation where you or your company failed to react in the appropriate manner, acknowledge the problem and offer a solution. If the original post was part of a blog, post a follow-up note after the problem is resolved so that others will know that the situation was corrected and resolved.

3. It is okay to apologize

There is nothing wrong with apologizing when a legitimate mistake is made. In fact, consumers typically respect an individual or company when they acknowledge their mistakes and apologize for any short comings.

4. Remain professional

Always stay professional. If the dialogue in a blog discussion degrades into a mudslinging fest, you should remain calm, take the high-road, and keep your comments and public statements professional.

5. Control search results

Let's face it, when something negative appears in the search engines as the result of your name, your company, or your product being searched, it can be very disconcerting. One solution is to create alternate search results, containing positive information, which will appear higher in the search results when those same keywords are searched. This sounds difficult, but really it is not. Use the standard Search Engine Optimization techniques, and watch the "positive" material inch up in the search engine rankings, which in turn forces those pages containing negative material to lower (and often ignored) positions.

None of us enjoys having our name, our company, or our product smeared and sullied online. Online libel is difficult, if not impossible, to prosecute. Learn to use the tools within your grasp to manage your reputation and minimize the impact of any defamatory comments.

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds, and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll audio recording and editing software.

© 2012 Sharon Housley  

5 Ways to Stress Yourself Out, Be Late For Everything, and Die Young

5 Ways to Stress Yourself Out, Be Late For Everything, and Die Young

11/15/2012 -Next | Issues Home

 

Andy Masters -- If you don't want to be productive or happy, here are five sure-fire ways to run yourself into the ground 

As humans, it seems we are always finding new ways to sabotage our happiness and productivity in work and in life, even if it’s not our intent. While many are already accomplished at these principles, and exercise each daily, below are the Top 5 Ways to Stress Yourself Out, Be Late for Everything, and Die Young, to be sure we can all focus on employing the most successful and sure-fire ways to run ourselves into the ground.

1. Overload your schedule and to-do list

Rule number one is to be sure you say "Yes" to everyone and everything. Take on new responsibilities and commit to tasks there’s no way you have time to handle. Coach that third team. Volunteer for that fourth committee. Commit to writing that article for your organization Newsletter. Unrealistically try to jam 17 projects onto your weekend "To-Do List," then go to sleep upset Sunday evening because you only completed 15.

We often try so hard to be superheroes in every phase of our lives, every day -— a condition known as "Superhero Syndrome." We succumb to the principles of "I don’t want to disappoint anyone" and "I don’t want to show anyone that I can’t handle it." We honorably try to please everyone else first, by putting our own wants and responsibilities last.

We must know when to say "No," and when to say "Yes, but not right now." When we’re placed under pressure from co-workers, clients, friends, or even strangers, each day we should be armed with managing expectation phrases such as:

-- “Just to be up front…”
-- “Just to give you a heads-up…”
-- “Just to be realistic based on my schedule right now...”

Don’t tell people what they want to hear. Tell people what they need to hear, in order for you to keep your sanity. Don’t paint yourself into a corner by over-committing to promises you may not be able to fulfill. Put yourself in a position to succeed, not fail. Exercise the customer satisfaction and stress relief principle: "Under-promise and over-deliver." The vast majority of stress in life is completely self-inflicted. Either you’re in charge of your time, or someone else is in charge of your time. Either you control your schedule, or your schedule controls you.

2. Multitask as many things as possible at once

If you attempt to do two (or twelve) things done at once, you can’t get either task done as well, or as efficiently.

Now, the professional multi-tasker might debate: "But I’m busy -— and I’m certainly skilled enough to send an email while I’m also talking on the phone." Ahhh, yes…. e-mailing and talking. The "walking and chewing gum" standard of our technology age.

However, when you have emailed and spoken at the same time, has this scenario ever happened?:

"I’m sorry, what was that again,” and "Uggh, I accidently just deleted that!"

There’s a reason some people are able to achieve more, in less time, with higher quality, and less stress. They master this simple but powerful 2-step process:

Prioritize and focus.

However, while prioritizing means doing the most important thing first, few actually do it. Most prioritize by doing what they feel like doing, and put off what they don’t feel like doing. This is also called procrastination.

Tackle your most important task first.

Regarding focus: If you’re worrying about priority number six, or number eleven, or number three while you are trying to complete number one -- you can’t get priority number one done as quickly, or with as much quality. Truly focus on priority number one to the best of your ability, finish it, and move to priority number two. You’ll be amazed at the quality, and quantity, of the tasks you’ll complete -- under less stress.

3. Do everything yourself, never ask for help, and don’t delegate ever again

“If it’s going to get done right, and if it’s going to get done on time -- I might as well do it myself!"

You’re right. You’ve asked for help before. You trusted someone. Then, that someone made you look bad. You tried to delegate -- but you got BURNED! Therefore, you swore to STOP DELEGATING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. "Fool me once!"

Will delegation ALWAYS work? No, it won’t. However, what perhaps could you have done more effectively? Were you clear in exactly what was to be performed, and by when? Did the person have the time, training, and resources to perform the task? Did you follow-up before the deadline to double-check progress in case they got off track?

Delegation is a process, a learned skill, and a habit.

By the way, delegation doesn’t have to be a staff of assistants who work for you. It can simply be having someone help you with any responsibility you might have when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Help may come from peers, other departments, friends, interns, your spouse, or even your children (please consult the child labor laws in your state first).

"A leader isn’t the person running around doing everything themselves. A leader is someone who empowers others to achieve the goals of the organization as a team."

Establish the pattern of delegating, especially on smaller or quicker tasks, to create a habit. Look at your "To-Do List" and delegate 3, 4, or 5 items before you do anything else. Then devote your time to your big picture goals -- and achieve MORE, in less time, with higher quality, and less stress. You will be amazed at what you and your organization can accomplish.

4. Seek out the MOST time possible with negative and stressful people

Picture someone in your life that you currently talk to or spend time with, but whenever you hang up with that person phone or walk back in your door, you exclaim to yourself: "Why do I even TALK TO THIS PERSON? They completely STRESS ME OUT! They are so NEGATIVE and DRAINING!!"

That’s when your significant other says “I don’t know, but we’re going out with them again next weekend.”

Now picture your favorite relative, or an old friend or colleague, in which you think to yourself: "Wow, I wish I could spend more time with that person. I really miss their company and talking with them on the phone. But, everyone is so busy these days…that’s just how life goes."

There are two types of people in this world: Those who lift people up, and those who bring people down. We have a choice of who we spend our valuable time with.

5. Don’t have any fun in your life whatsoever

Here is a great time management concept: Every time you say "YES" to something in your life, you are saying "NO" to everything else. Similarly, every time you say "YES" to someone in your life, you are saying "NO" to everyone else.

What are you saying "Yes" to? Who are you saying "No" to?

Say "Yes" to yourself. Carve out time to schedule a "date" with your spouse, Daddy’s night out with your daughter, or Mom’s day off with your friends.

Spend 15 minutes or less, and 15 dollars or less, on yourself.

Fifteen minutes per day is just 1/100th of our time.

What if you applied just 1/100th of your time towards that fun project or hobby you haven’t gotten around to doing, but always wanted to do? What could you enjoy this week? What could you accomplish this year?

Sign-up for guitar lessons. Learn kickboxing. Write your first book. Imagine one city or country in the world that you want to visit before you die, and book the tickets. Today. Watch the movie The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and become inspired to go skydiving and eat lunch under the Eiffel Tower.

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than the things you did." -– Mark Twain

Good luck!

Concentration on these 5 principles is a sure-fire way to stress yourself out, be late for everything, and die young. Of course, for best results, don’t forget to sleep poorly, eat unhealthy, and don’t exercise. Best of luck…you can do it!

Andy Masters is an award-winning author, international speaker, and business humorist who has written four books, earned four degrees, and who presents educational success and professional development programs for faculty, staff, and students. He has appeared on television, and been featured in print and interviews. Visit his website at http://www.andy-masters.com for more information and speaking availability.

© 2012 Andy Masters  

FREE PHONE & Phone SERVICES for low-income families.

Bismillah assalamualikum.

There are two companies that give FULL FREE phone and service, they send you the handset and phone line etc. all for free.

monthly mins, 250 or you pick what min u want free. 250 is good. but only 1 phone per family. so if you know any families are in need of a phone plan like this, then please let them benefit from it. inshaaAllah.

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Public/NewHome.html

http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx

if you need two phone lines, get one from each company. not bad lol.

but whoever needs such phone benefit inshaaAllah.

and please share the news with others so people in need can benefit.

wassalamualikum.

–

Ruling on listening to emotional songs

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Fatwas of Ibn Baz>Volume 21>Continuation of the Book on marriage>Chapter on Walimah>the ruling on listening to music Ruling on listening to emotional songs A Female from Iraq asks: "I perform religious duties such as Salah (Prayer), Sawm (Fasting) and reciting the Qur'an sincerely yet I listen to emotional and imaginary songs that do not mention wine or other similar prohibitions, is this permissible? May Allah benefit us and you!  (Part No. 21; Page No. 171) A: We advise you not to listen to songs at all as they are evil and greatly spoil the hearts. We advise you to listen to the Qur'an radio station as it is a source of great goodness. This station broadcasts also "Nour `Ala-Addarb" program and other useful programs. Regarding listening to songs, you have to guard yourself against listening to them as they are a great source of evil. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh Most scholars were of the view that idle talk is singing. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Listening to songs spreads the seeds of hypocrisy in hearts as water makes vegetables grow." `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) is one of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and one of their scholars. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Verily, among my Ummah (nation) there will be people who will deem as lawful: Hir (illegal sexual intercourse), silk, Khamr (alcohol) and musical instruments. He (peace be upon him) informs us that at the end of the time there will be some people who deem as lawful musical instruments and songs. May Allah protect us, you and all Muslims from its evil and keep all Muslims firm on guidance! He is All-Hearer, Ever Near (to all things). (Part No. 21; Page No. 172) Ruling on unlawful matters that happen on wedding days Q: You have mentioned that making clothes long is prohibited for men and that the same rulingwould be for women if they do that out of boasting. What is The ruling on a wedding dress that extends for 3 meters behind a bride What is the ruling on the money paid to female singers in weddings?  A: Regarding women, the Sunnah is to let their clothes down their feet with one span long, but not more than a cubit for the sake of covering themselves and their feet. It is not permissible for the bride to trail clothes more one cubit as this is considered wasting money in expensive prices. They should buy moderate priced clothes and there is no need to stud it with things that waste great money that better be used in things that benefit the Ummah (nation based on one creed) in worldly and religiously matters. Regarding the female singers, it is not permissible to bring them and pay much money except for a female singer who sings simple normal songs at (Part No. 21; Page No. 173) night to show happiness and pleasure at the presence of women only. Singing and beating the Duff (a tambourine-like instrument without bells) at weddings is permissible or might be desirable if it does not lead to some thing evil but to be done among women especially in some part of the night and ends without staying up and not using microphones. It should be done by singing usual songs that praise the bride, bridegroom and their families in truth or using words that contain no evil and that should be done among women only without the presence of men and without microphones. That was done at the age of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah. Boasting with bringing female singers, spending much money on them and using microphones is Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). Doing that causes harm to people and makes them stay up most of the night, and thus, miss Fajr (Dawn) Prayer which is a great Munkar that should be removed. Advice for women who listen to songs Q: Some women listen to singing, would Your Eminence advise us about that?  (Part No. 21; Page No. 174) A: I advise all men and women not to listen to singing. Songs spread great evil. People were afflicted by that through radio, television and many other means as tapes. Muslim men and women should guard themselves against that evil. They should, instead of songs, listen to Qur'an, the Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the speeches of scholars in religious forums and programs in order to get benefit in this world and the Hereafter. Songs lead to great evils and may cause Muslim men and women to be lead astray from their religion and might plant the seeds of hypocrisy in their hearts and make them hate what is good and love what is bad. Hypocrisy leads to hating the good, loving the bad and being Muslim apparently while there is no Islam in heart. Hypocrisy is very dangerous and it is called for by songs. The one used to listen to songs might hate the Qur'an, useful advice and the Prophet's Hadiths. Listening to songs might lead a person to love obscenity and corruption and increase in him the desire for obscenity and a longing to talk to obscene people. Believing men and women should take care of this evil. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in His Great Book: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allâh, or the Verses of the Qur’ân) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire). And when Our Verses (of the Qur’ân) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not - as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment. (Part No. 21; Page No. 175) Most Mufassirs (exegetes of the Qur'an) are of the view that "idle talk" means singing and every prohibited sound such as musical instruments and pipes. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) swore that idle talk is singing. He said: "Singing plants the seeds of hypocrisy in hearts as water nurtures plants." Singing makes one hate what is good, love what is bad, hate to listen to Qur'an, Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and the like. Loving songs and musical instruments is a kind of hypocrisy. Hypocrites declare apparently they are Muslims and that they hate falsehood, but in fact they are not. They also pretend to love the Qur'an but in fact they do not. Songs calls to hate the Qur'an and hate listening to it. They require hating listening to sermons and hating inviting to Allah. They incite people to love impudence, falsehood, obscenity, dissolution and the like that are caused by singing. It makes also hearts deviate from the truth and love what Allah forbids and hate what Allah (Glorified be He) commands. Anyone who does that or knows those who listen to songs and their status will inevitably come to know their deviation and corruption because of their love to singing. There is neither might nor power except with Allah! (Part No. 21; Page No. 176) Prohibition of free intermixing (of men and women) in parties and treatment through music Q 64: What is the ruling on holding farewell parties where free intermixing takes place? What is theruling on treatment using music?  A: Parties should be free from any intermixing of men and women. There should be separate parties for men and separate parties for women. Free intermixing is an evil thing and was one of the habits of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). May Allah safeguard us against all these things! Regarding therapy by music, there is no ground for that act. It is the act of foolish people. Music is not a type of therapy; on the contrary it is a disease and is considered as a tool of idle talk. It makes hearts sick and leads them astray. It is only useful to be treated by listening to the Holy Qur'an, good sermons and Hadiths that comfort people. Treatment through music and musical instruments makes people get used to falsehood, increase their illness and make them burdened by listening to the Qur'an, Sunnah and good sermons. There is neither might nor power except with Allah!

Q 14: What is the ruling on religious supplications accompanied by music?

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Fatwas of the Permanent Committee>Group 1>Volume 26: Miscellaneous 3>Listening to music>Religious hymns accompanied by music The fourteenth question of Fatwa no. 6914 Q 14: What is the ruling on religious supplications accompanied by music? A: This is not permissible, for music in itself is Haram (prohibited) and making supplications accompanied bymusic is mockery and mixing `Ibadah (worship) with amusement. (Part No. 26; Page No. 228) If the supplications are tinged with Bid`ah (innovation in religion), this is even worse, for it combines amusement and Ibtida` (heresy). Moreover, it involves imitating the customs of non-Muslims. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman `Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Does the type of songs which we hear on TV or listen to on the radio fall under the category of Haram (prohibited)?

Fatwas of the Permanent Committee>Group 1>Volume 26: Miscellaneous 3>Listening to music>Singing in radio and TV

Fatwa no. 3258 Q 1: Does the type of songs which we hear on TV or listen to on the radio fall under the category of Haram (prohibited)? A: The type of songs which we hear on TV or listen to on the radio falls under the category of Haram because it is diversion which stimulates sexual desire and arouses passion. These songs also lead to moral decline, sickening of the soul that divert it from performing noble deeds. They also help in the quick spread of corruption in Islamic environments. Q 2: what is the ruling on playing music which is not accompanied by singing? Is it permissible to listen to it? How do you explain that some scholars excelled in music and that it was used as a cure for sick people? A: It is prohibited to occupy oneself with playing music or listening to it whether accompanied by singing or not. The prohibition becomes all the more empathic if it is accompanied by singing as it ruins morals and corrupts true belief. It is true that some scholars excelled in the art of music. These include Al-Faraby and other scholars who cannot be taken as role models for Muslims. They do not belong to the category of Muslim scholars in terms of knowledge of (Part No. 26; Page No. 217) `Aqidah (creed) and behavior like the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them all) and the Imams of Salaf (righteous predecessors) like Sa`id ibn Jubayr, Al-Hasan Al-Basry, Al-Shafi`y, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Al-Awza`y and other Muslim scholars who practiced what they preached. These people provided an example for later generations to follow. it is not permissible to use music as a cure for illnesses. A Muslim is not in need of such cure especially when there exists other lawful substitutes like Islamic songs, recitation of the Qur'an in melodious tones, and other forms that relax the mind, bring pleasure to the soul, and increase the faith in Allah and in His predestination. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman `Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

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Search Result Fatwas of Ibn Baz>Volume 3>Evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah prohibiting and warning against singing and musical instruments>Ruling on listening to music (Part No. 3; Page No. 436) The ruling on listening to music  Music and other kinds of instruments are all evil, they are things that Satan makes appear attractive and enjoyable, and he calls people to them so as to distract them from the truth by means of falsehood, and so that he can lead them away from what Allah loves to what He hates and has decreed Haram (prohibited). Music, the lute and all musical instruments are all Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and it is not permissible to listen to them. It has been authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Verily, among my Ummah (nation) there will be people who will deem as lawful: Zina, silk, Khamr (alcohol) and musical instruments.” The "Hir" refers to the illegal sexual relations or Zina (sexual intercourse outside marriage), and the prohibited means of entertainment refers to songs and musical instruments. I advise you and the other women or men to increase your recitation of the Qur'an and listen to the program of "Nour `Ala Al-Darb", as such acts include much benefits and will definitely attract you away from the evil of listening to songs and musical instruments. May Allah guide all to what pleases Him. He is All-Hearer and Responsive!