We have a ways to go before we see the paperless society become a reality, I'm afraid. It's tough to imagine that when I look at my desk covered with paper generated by my own computer. Seems all we've done is move the costs of printing from the marketers and corporations to the consumers. Although, Apples newest iPad may well be the tool that finally plants our feet firmly on that path..

But, that's not the only exciting news. A new dialog has begun heralding a major shift that could open new horizons for the disenfranchised small businesses and professionals and for countless out-of-work Americans.  A Conversation on Workplace Flexibility is one of the most exciting events occurring on the national scene (although, frankly, I haven't seen much mention in mainstream media.) The forum brings together industry leaders at all levels of business and governmental agencies including SBA, the Council on Women and Girls, and countless others to explore the the direction that our lives and work practices will take. 

Flexibility is a huge concept that too many have not yet been able to wrap their heads around. It takes many different shapes, depending on the industry. In some cases it means being able to bring children to work, in others it allows workers to deviate from the traditional 9-5 / 5 day a week life, and in yet others. In some others, it even insists that workers must limit their working hours – not because there's nothing to do but because personal life is valued and it's perceived as good to have a life outside the job. What a concept!

But this is not something that is being plastered on from the outside. It's what young and old, top level professionals and workers on the front line have been saying for years. Life has gotten very complex. Families have pressing responsibilities to children and elders that just can't be attended to in a rigid workplace. Men need personal/family time as much as women today.  It benefits seniors and the 20-somethings, who both require personal control over their lives, equally well.

More important, there's a new perception that people (now called "talent") are a company's most valuable asset.

These are not a new concepts. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and some corporations like IBM and Sarah Lee have been implementing all kinds of flexibility and work-life balance for years – and very successfully. Michelle and Barack both have grown up and have been fully engaged in the search for life-work balance. They're excellent examples of how flexibility enhances the successful realization of a worker's full potential.

There have been some significant challenges and lessons learned along the way. But those who have embraced work-life balance in their corporate culture report that they have significantly improved their environments, the morale of their workers and their bottom line.

So what's the resistance?  Why have so many employers' eyes glazed over when applicants attempt to speak of telecommute or varied work schedules? It seems that this kind of shift has to come from the top down… Presidents of Corporations, Boards of Directors, Top Management all need to embrace – and practice – the attainment of life-work balance. Some are waiting for proof positive that flexibility works and how to implement it into their corporate culture. They need to demonstrate that workers will not be penalized or passed over for promotions when they seek accommodation to meet their  And they need trust that their employees are mature adults, responsible enough to deliver productivity without being micro-managed. Middle Management and Front Line Managers, often afraid that they'll be phased out, need to re-focus on productivity rather than time management.

It's definitely a two-way street that encompasses: trust, accountability and commitment to the common good…the continued success of the company and the well-being of those who contribute to that.

It resistance boils down to fear of the unknown and a fear of what happens when those in control share that control. But ,those who have begun to apply the principals of flexibility in the workplace have clearly shown that this new trend in the workplace can, and does, work.

Finally the conversation has begun. Now, even government agencies have seen the results and are serious about learning more, and implementing,  those strategies that prove most beneficial and needed. But it's up to each one of us to get pro-actively involved. Here's some ways…

• Watch the Conversation on Workplace Flexibility videos I strongly encourage everyone engaged in running or working for a business or seeking employment to make time to watch them
• Keep an eye out for more of these types of events on a local level. They'll be coming to a location near you.
• Check out websites like USA.gov, especially the tabs for Citizens and for Businesses and Nonprofits, OpenCongress.org, your own state's website (In Illinois begin with http://www.illinois.gov/  and others
• Speak up! Each website has a blog or a contact form, email addresses and/or phone numbers. Even the WhiteHouse has contact information and highly competent people standing ready to help. Use them! Voice your concerns, ask the tough questions and keep asking until you get the answer you're looking for. Don't wait for the media and pundits to do the work for you.

Posh and poppycock!!! When the government puts programs into effect to help the public, they do not intend to

Here's just one of countless examples.

The new Making Homes Affordable Program can help some reduce their interest by 2% and/or renegotiate their mortgages. It's a powerful program. If you search on Google for this program, depending on what terms you use to you'll get easily 1.5 million links to pages where help and information is offered. Some are legitimate – some are not. 

Many of the pages lead to people / companies that promise to help you get the help you need via these programs. They guarantee success in as much as 98% of the cases they handle – and they require upwards of $3,000 to get you the help you want. Some will tell you the money goes into a trust fund and you'll get it back if they can't get you the help you approved. They may tell you their registered with the Better Business Bureau. They may tell you they have all kinds of credentials and offer all kinds of testimonials.

This is not what Obama and the Congress indented. They are scams!

Here's another example:

Countless of us are now doing our taxes online either on websites or using TurboTax of other tax software. If These are tremendously easy and convenient. Once your taxes are filed you may get emails that actually look legit to the inexperienced. They say something like  there has been fraudulent reporting on your return – or you're eligible for an additional tax refund. They may even have a .gov in the email address. Don't believe a word of it. Don't respond. Don't click any link.  Delete the email immediately. This is a pfishing / scam attempt.  Rather, go to IRS.gov for information about how to deal with these emails.

And yet another:

With all the hoopla about government and humanitarian initiatives, no doubt you're getting all kinds of requests for donations. The web is filled with these kinds of scams. If you give that donation, are you SURE the money is actually being used as you intend? You don't unless you are very careful to go directly to  the source.

• Always go direct to your Browser (never click a link in an email – even if it looks legit.
• Make sure you are actually going to a website that has :".gov" in the address if it's a government program.
• Look for the contact us page when you get there. You will find an email form on the page and a phone contact. To be SURE you're on the right path call and ask before you proceed. Get a local contact wherever possible .If it's a humanitarian initiative, you won't see ".gov" but follow the same procedure to call or email and talk with someone in the organization directly.

All these scammers know that people like you and me – especially Seniors – need help. They know that we are passionate about the initiative they're saying they promote. They know that we believe in doing the right thing and are willing to help whenever we can. They count on the fact that too many don't know how to check the facts and too many are unfamiliar with the workings of the internet. They bank on the fact that many are just desperate enough to reach in their pockets to pay whatever is required to get the help we need as long as it sounds legit. 

With the computers and sophisticated programs scammers have every tool available to make themselves appear to be legitimate. They can make their websites look exactly like the real thing. They  can hide real emails and real website addresses behind what looks like they're official. Pert near any novice can do that.

A good rules of thumb:

• f you don't have a real name, physical address that you can get to, don't do anything until you check them out thoroughly!!
• Whenever you have the slightest doubt, stop and check with a local official that you know. Start with your local governmental agencies. And if you know how to find the real addresses of the governmental bodies, go directly there and call.
• If it's government related – go to your local representative's website, or to www.whitehouse.gov or to IRS.gov or wherever and make that call. Find out what they have to tell you. They'll generally be able to give you a name and phone number or email that you can use.
• Remember, the government doesn't charge fees to help people like you and me get help. If they have a program to help us, they also have a method to help us get it – FREE.

See Fed to keep rates at record lows

The Federal Reserve has decided to hold interest rates at a record low and pledged to keep them there for an "extended period" to keep the recovery going and drive down double-digit unemployment.

Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.” To which the gentleman said, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”

*Source: http://www.pmcaregivers.com/Jokes3.htm

A 5-year-old boy went to visit his grandmother one day. Playing with his toys in her bedroom while grandma was dusting, he looked up and said, “Grandma, how come you don’t have a boy friend now that Grandpa went to heaven?” Grandma replied, “Honey, my TV is my boyfriend. I can sit in my bedroom and watch it all day long. The religious programs make me feel good and the comedies make me laugh. I’m happy with my TV as my boyfriend.”

Grandma turned on the TV, and the reception was terrible. She started adjusting the knobs, trying to get the picture in focus. Frustrated, she started hitting the backside of the TV hoping to fix the problem. The little boy heard the doorbell ring, so he hurried to open the door, and there stood Grandma’s minister. The minister said, “Hello, son, is your Grandma home?” The little boy replied, “Yeah, she’s in the bedroom bangin’ her boyfriend.” The minister fainted.