Kim's Blog

Riding the Wave

Posted on November 3, 2008 at 04:16 PM

Sometimes life takes you on an unexpected path. That’s my life in a nutshell. If you’ve ever wondered how I got into this industry, please check out the article written about me in Crain’s Chicago. I was nominated and have been named as one of the 40 Under 40. A wonderful article written about me but mentions my dad and my mom.  My two role models:)
Crain’s Chicago

A Great Tip When Stressed!

Posted on October 29, 2008 at 10:49 AM

In reading a Ladies Who Launch Tip today, I thought this tip was particularly useful. It was submitted by Jennifer Bourgoyne, Founder, Czela Bellies CesareanWear

“Stress becomes overwhelming when you immediately say “I can’t” when a task is unfamiliar or time-consuming. To keep myself sane I make a list with two columns – things I can control and things I can’t. If the list is uneven I add more to the “can” column no matter how small, specifically focusing on what I can do for others. Make a great dinner for the family, call a friend just to say hi, put money in someone else’s parking meter. The “can” list makes me feel grounded and realize that I’m capable of a lot more than I think. And the “can’t” list? Now that I’m more confident I see that many of those items are in the wrong column!”

Halloween in the workplace?

Posted on October 27, 2008 at 09:21 AM

As many of you know, Halloween is coming up on Friday. In my household, this holiday is HUGE!  Discussion of costumes and candy has been a hot topic at the dinner table for weeks. We have tried on the costumes, forced them to be put away, and made sure we bought the “good” candy to give out. I secretly think the kids hope there won’t be too many kids ringing our doorbell- that way the candy stays in house!
At work, some of my employees have talked about dressing up, some have asked if they can leave early to take their youngsters trick- or – treating, and most have not even mentioned the impending spooky day.
So I started to wonder. How do other companies handle a holiday like Halloween.  Do adults celebrate in the same way? If not, then why am I invited to two costume mandatory parties?
Do we only celebrate by buying our favorite candy on sale?
I like to celebrate any chance I get. I know for some people it seems unnecessary, but for me – celebrating keeps spirits up, breaks up the monotony, and makes me smile.  But how much is too much?
I’d like to hear about other companies and how they incorporate the spirit but balance the fact that many people move through this holiday without a glance, while for others it is a consuming day filled with sugar and glee.
Oh yes, and for those of you wondering, what costume I will be wearing this year- my husband and I are attending our parties as pirates. I have named myself “Swarmy Jane”! What fun!

The Cycle of Business

Posted on October 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM

As September numbers come in, state budgets fall short, and the news is full of uncertainty- this can be a time to become disillusioned. It can be hard to be motivated when jobs are at stake, projects are on hold, and fear takes a front seat.
It is times like these I seek solace in various stress-relievers. I try to exercise more, read inspirational material, and look at the bright side of things. I hug my kids a bit tighter and watch light-hearted shows ( gasp, dare I say reality shows!) to take my mind off of the economy and the things I cannot control.
I repeat, I cannot control them!
So, if I cannot control the economy and I cannot control the state and federal budget shortfalls, what can I control ( I am a control-freak admittedly)?
Well, I can control my frame of mind, I can control the mood of my company and I can control the decisions I make in order to steer my small business through these times. I can control how I treat others under stress, I can control the quality of work my company puts out and I can control how to learn from this experience- the cycle of business.
So, I am choosing to look forward.  I am choosing to not let fear control my decisions. I am choosing to stay strong for my employees, my family, and myself. I am choosing to accept the past, handle the present and anticipate the future. I am choosing to make decisions that make my company stronger.
One decision that I am particularly proud of is that I have hired a new VP of Editorial. Kathy Laya comes to us with years of experience and knowledge.  Kathy brings wisdom, a hard work ethic, and a team mentality. Kathy embraces the culture we have built here at Shakespeare Squared. 
I hope you’ll send Kathy a welcome email at klaya@shakespearesquared.com as she gets settled in.
So, you see, I am choosing.  I am in control of some things.  I am looking at the bright side, I am certain we will see an upswing. 
Now, hopefully, you will look at the circumstances differently as I am.
How will you choose to handle the stress? 
Share, please. We could all use the insight!

Your Favorite Children’s Books?

Posted on October 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM

One of my employees is about to go on maternity leave, as we ready for her baby shower, we decided to create a gift theme. What else but “Favorite Children’s Books.” Many of my staff have been discussing which book they will choose to give but I am at a loss. Even with 3 children, too many books to count at home, and a company that works with publishers, I find I am unable to choose that special book that stands out from the rest.

So I’ve decided to turn to you—Which book would you choose and why?

Banned Books: Controversy and Free Speech

Posted on October 1, 2008 at 01:39 PM

This week is Banned Book Week (Sept. 27- Oct 4.). On the ALA site, they mention the most challenged 2007 authors and books.  I took a glance at the novels and the reason it was banned- which include taboo topics such as homosexuality, violence and racism. 

The list usually contains classic authors who are challenged the most- Mark Twain and Maya Angelou. But this year there is a shocker- Toni Morrison is off the list!  Beloved has not made the top ten in 2007. I wonder if Toni feels…..left out, lonely, empty. I mean for years her book (usually more than 1)has made the list. What? Did her themes become mainstream?  Were the scenes less shocking due to cable TV? 

In my first teaching job, I was partially a librarian for a K-8 school.  I worked with the classrooms using the Accelerated Reading program, reminding students that their books were due back next week and reading, reading, reading.  It was great! Although to my knowledge, I am the first and only librarian whose ENTIRE family was banned from taking any more books out (either at the school or the public library) because, well, we just simply didn’t return them. We loved those books. My mom instilled devotion early on and it stuck. 

So now, here I am- in charge of telling students to return their books- or else!  I have to say Mrs. Jaeger, the former veteran librarian, was turning over in her grave.  Knowing I was never really going to fine a student for reading, re-reading and loving books too much (or at least that’s how I envisioned it).

In this year of being the ruler of all things literary, Harry Potter was all the rage. It had been out a few years but those books were always checked out and kids wanted to talk about it. I read Harry Potter, and although I was never a mega-fan. I understood the allure.  But in the news that year, schools were banning Harry Potter. Wizardry and the obsession with this series received a massive amount of attention. I tried to imagine what the offending topics were and I remember thinking that I would never ban that book.  It was creating excitement, it was a long read and kids were proud of that accomplishment.

So this brings me to a question- What is YOUR favorite banned book? Why? I look forward to your comments.

The ALA has put together many materials and guidelines for Librarians to use as a resource.  Check out ala.org for these resources and more.

Back to School: Change Is in the Air

Posted on September 10, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Last week, as I was finishing my nightly reading— some parenting magazines, industry journals and research, as well as a few business publications—I could see that this time of year brings one topic to the forefront: the beginning of the school year. I, too, was absorbed in this as my three children and my husband all embarked on their educational journeys.  My “summer family” morphs into a structured, motivated group, ready to be better students or a more authentic assessor, and, in my 3-year-old’s case, well, just try to not have any accidents while in his new classroom.

It was interesting to see what each person was excited or anxious about. My eldest started fifth grade; new kids, a harder teacher—this year means business! My middle child entered kindergarten. She was so scared she wasn’t “smart enough.” Nonsense! I implored. We spent the last few weeks working on her summer packet and exclaiming how easy it really was. My little guy was most impressed with the two brand new Macs in his preschool classroom. He reported that sometimes “you can’t play the ‘puter.” Sometimes you have to do other things. He looked around at the other teary children, who did not fully understand their surroundings. He immediately absorbed the structure of Circle Time and left me smiling as he tried to sing some new song about “upside down T’s”.

Speaking of change, the other top story right now is the election and how it will affect, well, everything. I am paying particular attention to the education debate. I am waiting with bated breath, knowing that NCLB and many other programs will be revamped one way or another. What will happen? What will this mean for students? For teachers?  For education publishers?

One way or another change is coming. Along with the new school year are new programs and new initiatives. Even though I will not be in the classroom this year, I still feel like I can make a difference. I can make a difference as a parent, as the head of my companies, and as a proud spouse of an educator. This is my resolution this fall.  And I’m sticking to it!

Feedback? Comments? Please share them with me….