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Using Social Media to Share the Holiday Spirit

Did you know… You can find articles, blogs and even archived copies of our monthly Coaches Connection eNewsletter on the Happenings page.

'Tis the season for all of us to be finishing up our wish lists to Santa. For many of us, this includes the latest in technology gadgets. Whether it’s the latest smartphone, eReader, computing or gaming device, we all know what we want to see under the tree come Christmas morning or other holiday gift giving and receiving event. Microsoft recently released Kinect for the Xbox 360 game console. Kinect allows you to become the game controller by combining a camera and some sort of mystical voodoo magic…if we’re not mistaken. This "magic" relies on motion sensing and voice recognition technology coming into your living room under the initial guise of a gaming peripheral…but, don't be fooled. Microsoft has bigger plans in store for the technology behind Kinect. While basically made up of off-the-shelf cameras and audio sensors packaged in a slick and shiny coat of plastic, it's how Microsoft plans to use the technology that should have us all excited for recreation, as well as work applications.

Speech recognition has been around for a while now, but what if you can walk into a room and be recognized without even saying a word? Microsoft is investing a great deal in voice and gesture technologies. So, while we will likely see Kinect technology start in our living rooms, we will see it gradually evolve from a gaming platform to a lifestyle and workplace system. Let's say you walk into your office with the need to draft and send an email. Before you say a word you are instantly recognized and differentiated from your family or co-workers. Based on this recognition, your computer settings are automatically customized based on your preferences. With a simple phrase or wave of your hand, Outlook launches and an email form is called up for you to dictate the email, proof it on your screen and send it off. As you leave the room, your computer locks itself.

We believe voice and gesture-based technologies will create new styles and requirements for facilitating learning in law firms. Imagine what a training class in the future looks like with something like Kinect…an instructor is instantly recognized upon launching a virtual training class. His or her avatar follows the instructor’s movements and presents a life-like interaction with students connected together virtually. This will be important because the skills the instructor teaches are no longer keyboard and mouse skills, but instead hand movements and keywords, both of which are better “shown” than “told”.

Before we get too far into the future though, let’s come back to the here and now. We are about 6 days from Christmas upon the writing of this article, so we’ll leave you with this tech gadget version of an old classic to put a little Spring in Your Step. For our many clients and friends who do not celebrate Christmas, we mean no offense and wish you a very happy holiday season.

On the first day of Christmas, my tech guy gave to me…an iPhone 4 with Three-ee-ee Gee.   On the second day of Christmas, my tech guy gave to me…two 3-D TVs and an iPhone 4 with Three-ee-ee Gee.   On the third day of Christmas, my tech guy gave to me…three Amazon Kindles, two 3-D TVs and an iPhone 4 with Three-ee-ee Gee. On the fourth day of Christmas, my tech guy gave to me…four Apple iPads, three Amazon Kindles, two 3-D TVs and an iPhone 4 with Three-ee-ee Gee. On the fifth day of Christmas, my tech guy gave to me…FIVE XBOX KINECTS!!!.... four Apple iPads, three Amazon Kindles, two 3-D TVs and an iPhone 4 with Three-ee-ee Gee.

You get the idea! Season’s Greetings Everyone!

Generosity: We give back to our communities in the office, around town and across the globe. We are privileged to serve others.

The smile on a child’s face when they see a new toy, the light in the eyes of those who find new hopes, the glow of inspiration we all feel when we experience the fine art of giving; all feelings that make exercising the spirit of generosity worthwhile. Traveling Coaches takes great pride in this art by working with those who could use extra hope especially during the holiday season. This year we are proud to be a part of Captain Hope’s Kids sharing in the joys of shining new light into the lives of homeless children. Our Traveling Coaches’ volunteers worked at the Captain Hope’s Kids headquarters sorting toys and making sure all donations were accounted for from some of this year’s largest donors.

Volunteering, working in our communities and giving back is in the heart of all our employees at Traveling Coaches:

“Through my volunteer work at church, I’m able to help others directly in my community. It may be something small like taking in a meal, helping clean a house or visiting someone in the hospital, but it’s those small moments of service that show love and kindness for those who need it most.” – Carolyn Humphreys, Learning Development Consultant

“This is my fifth year as Head Coach of the Allen Eagles bowling team. Last year on the girl’s team we graduated five seniors, one of them my daughter, one got a full ride scholarship for bowling and three of the other four girls got partial scholarships. We have a great program and I am very proud of all of our success.” – Joseph McCusker, IT and Networking Support

“I had always heard about Relay for Life in different communities. One of my close friends approached me about becoming PR Chair for RFL of Azle. My dear friend had been battling an aggressive cancer; Melanoma, so it was a perfect time to show my support.” – Krissy Morrison, Executive Assistant

We are proud of all our employees and the contributions they make throughout the year. We want to thank each and every one of them.