I want to use QR codes in my position as Public Relations Director for a municipality.  But I’ve really racked my brains on how to do it.  Perhaps we could put baseball schedules up, or practice times.  Maybe a QR code that has the schedule of our annual festival.  If you’re struggling to figure out how to use a QR codes, perhaps makeuseof.com can help,

Selling something locally? Too big for snail mail? For weighty electrical items, cars, hardware and so on QR codes could be used to help sell your item. If you are using an online merchant for the sale (such as eBay or AutoTrader) the QR code could be used to link directly to the item’s point of sale. If you’re simply selling offline and advertising locally a QR code can be used to provide a web link to the manufacturer’s description, which will provide a lot more information than you can fit on a classified advertising card. Simply print out your code and glue it on!

There are other good ideas for using QR codes, but I still like my idea better… posting a schedule of events!

Imagine working on a presentation where you show what your latest architectural design could look like in 3D.  Or you want to produce a unique, eye-catching business card for the big exhibit show!  For $1300, this could be an easily accessible reality for small- and home-business owners with a new 3D printer coming soon to a Staples near you.  From CNN Money,

While 3-D printers have long been used in industrial manufacturing, a recent “maker” movement is slowly popularizing in-home versions of the devices.

The Cube, like other 3-D printers, is a machine that creates physical, three-dimensional objects. The printer uses a digital design file as a blueprint, then builds the item layer by layer with plastic. Users can print anything they can design, including action figures, iPhone docks and coffee cup holders.

Is it just me or does this almost sound like replicator technology you’d see on Star Trek?

Photo from kickstarter.com.

In my day job, I am required to notify my employer of other work because I work for the government and we must do everything ethically, morally, and legally.  (I would do that anyway, by the way!)  I know police officers who work as security guards on the side, fire fighters who work in other emergency services, and clerks who sell “31″ and Avon part time.  We all disclose our work.

However, if you have another job and want to also provide extra income to your family via a part time job, you can do what’s called “Ethical Moonlighting.”  I had never heard of the term until Miranda Marquit explained it on Planting Money Seeds,

It’s also important to follow rules of common decency. Skillings points out that you shouldn’t poach clients from your current employer, and you shouldn’t use company resources to get your own side business off the ground. However, that doesn’t mean that your employer can’t help you with your home business. “Your hobby business is most likely not a direct competitor for your employer,” she says. “I know several entrepreneurs who benefited greatly from employer support when first starting out.”

If you do find a part-time job or start your own home business, be careful to not violate your company’s non-compete rules.

Photo from National Rural Knowledge Exchange.

To be self employed or to work from home, you must have a strong sense of discipline.  And it will also help if you structure your day both so you can accomplish your projects AND advance your professional skills.  How do you do it?  According to J.T. O’Donnell there are 10 things you should do every day at work,

1.  Read something related to my industry.
2.  Read something related to business development.
3.  Send two emails to touch base with old colleagues.
4.  Empty my private client inbox by responding to all career coaching questions within one business day.
5.  Check in with each team member on their progress.
6.  Have a short non-work related conversation with every employee.
7.  Review my top three goals for my company that are focused on its growth.
8.  Identify and execute one task to support each of my top three goals.
9.  Post five valuable pieces of content on all my major social media accounts.
10. Take a full minute to appreciate what I have and how far I’ve come.

I really like item #1 – reading something every day related to your industry.  This is a great way to stay on the cutting edge of your career!  What do you do during your work day?

If you’re applying for a contract or a job, your resume needs to stand out from the competition.  Be truthful, of course, but a professionally designed, sharp resume can go far to get the attention of your vendors or future boss!  From Fab.com,

Since the advent of the word processor, résumés haven’t changed much. How to stand out from the sea of drab, black-and-white Xeroxed Word docs? Loft Résumés helps you get an edge on the competition by creating a grabby, beautifully designed and supremely colorful résumé that’s personalized to your own individual needs and wants. 

Check this gorgeous resume out:

I have worked in offices. I have worked from home.  There are definite advantages of both.

When you work from home, you can stop in the middle of the day and take a nap. You don’t have to change out of your pajamas until sometime in the afternoon.  Brush your teeth whenever you want (of course you *should* want to right away!).

When you work in an office, you are constantly challenged to get the job done. You are in an environment where other people are dedicated to their own tasks and responsibilities.  You have the opportunity to interact socially and to brainstorm ideas and strategies.

Working in an office can be .. FUN!  From Cyrus Massoumi on Linked In,

Find ways to make work fun. While the occasional happy hour or Ping-Pong tournament certainly doesn’t hurt, there is a distinction between having fun at work and making work fun. Whether it’s including a funny Easter egg on our 404-page or rewarding success with a victory lap (cape and all) around the office, I’m always impressed by how innovative our team is at bringing happiness to their experience at ZocDoc. If the work you do brings a smile to your face and the faces of your colleagues, it’s a pleasure to contribute in person every day.

I look forward to Mondays, personally.  I like asking my colleagues how their weekends were.  I like hearing about their children’s performance in a play or about the family reunion.  I like going to the office!

Photo from Pinterest.

In my office, I have a big frame of a window.  My intention is to bring it home, paint it black, and fill it with photos I’ve taken over the last few years.  But my colleagues argue that the black frame won’t look good on my brick wall.  And I don’t want to spend money developing large photos without knowing it’s going to look good.  This might be a good solution to test out.

Wall Picture Collage
Here are all the things that I bought.
(all found at walmart)
This entire project was under $20. My kind of project!
*pictures you want to use (I had free prints from Co
* 2 20×30 foam core boards (I got two black ones $2.88 each)
*poster hanger thingies ($2.44)
*foam brushes ($.97)
*double sided tape ($3)
*mod podge (I already had some)

Click through to “Bits of Everything” and read the directions. And here’s the final product!

I always imagine that door handles, shopping carts, and light switches would be among the dirtiest things we touch with our hands. However, if you think about it maybe – just maybe – your computer keypad is fairly contaminated.  Here’s a quick tip on cleaning your keyboard,

… a little compressed air will go a long way towards getting the dust out of the cracks, crevices, and exhaust vents. If you have a Mac Pro, you can crack the case open and attack the inside with the same cloth and compressed air.

If your case or keyboard are seriously gunky, we highly recommend attacking the filth with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but keep in mind that they—and other melamine sponges—are slightly abrasive, so you may be rubbing away grease and dirt, but if you keep scrubbing you can wear away the top layer of the finish as well.

While you’re at it, consider cleaning your desk phone. Those get nasty really quickly, especially if you wear makeup!

My office is in disarray compared to this!  What about yours?