The Small Blog

Tue, May 11, 2010 - 9:42:56

Even in the Global Marketplace, Little Mistakes Can Spell Disaster

Thursday we all felt our stomachs tighten when word spread across the news waves about the stock market’s 900 point drop, which occurred within a matter of twenty minutes. Although the market fortunately recouped much of the day’s losses before closing down 300 points, reports soon surfaced questioning whether one tiny mistake could have triggered the mass panic. Although the Dow later denied the reports, industry experts initially questioned whether the significant sell-offs may have been the result of what is known in the industry as a “fat finger trade.”  Or, to put it in layman’s terms: a typo.

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Sat, May 01, 2010 - 8:54:41

Elizabeth Post Passes Away, But Her Message Lives On

“Etiquette is meant to smooth the path between people to better relationships.” –Elizabeth Post (1920-2010)

Earlier this week marked the passing of an important figure in American culture, when Elizabeth Post, granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post and longtime director of the Emily Post Institute passed away at age 89.  Considered by many to be the foremost expert on all things etiquette, Post played an important role in re-interpreting the rules of decorum to suit modern life.  And it serves as a reminder that no matter how times may change, politeness never goes out of style.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, April 30, 2010 - 3:01:23

Starting Today, Make Your Car a “No Phone Zone”

It’s something many of us do every day.  A seemingly innocuous behavior that’s become commonplace over the years, and one that can have tragically life-altering consequences: distracted driving.  We all know about the dangers of drinking and driving, but the simple act of talking or texting on your mobile phone while behind the wheel can be just as hazardous, if not more so. 

In fact, a recent study revealed that drivers “under the influence” of handheld tech devices are just as likely to get in an accident as those driving while over the legal alcohol limit.  It’s a frightening but true statistic: each year nearly 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 killed in traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers.  But, by making one small change—pledging put down the phone and go “hands-free” in the car—you could actually save lives.  That’s why today is National No Phone Zone Day, an initiative started by Oprah Winfrey, in an attempt to raise awareness about this dangerous little habit—and eradicate it.

It’s a perfect example of how the power of small truly can save lives, and as a result, change the world.  Although you might think your smallest actions don’t matter, the reality is that every moment, the little things you do build upon one another to shape the course of not only your life, but the lives of others. One person can make an enormous impact and something as simple as a text message can change your life forever.  It might sound unlikely, but it happens every day.

So, why not make today the day you start thinking small?  Beginning with this one tiny change, you can start to immediately see how little things really do make all the difference.

To learn more about National No Phone Zone Day and sign the pledge, click here.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Tue, April 27, 2010 - 8:47:10

What Business People Can Learn from Olympic Gold Medalist, Evan Lysacek

As we mention in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, Robin is an avid figure skater.  So, when we came across a story in the Wall Street Journal about men’s figure skating champion Evan Lysacek’s journey to the top of his sport, we had to read on.  And as we discovered, Evan and Robin have more in common than just skating.  In fact, they both reached the peak of their respective professions by “thinking small.”

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Tue, April 27, 2010 - 8:38:31

For Better or for Worse, it’s the Little Things that Matter

In the world of dating, there’s and oft repeated phrase men and women tell each other when searching for Mr. or Ms. Right: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  But, while singles are sometimes criticized for being too picky—writing off potential mates because of strange quirks and mildly annoying habits—research shows they might be on to something.  Why?  Because more often than not, it’s the so-called small stuff that can make or break a marriage. 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Posted by Linda and Robin
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