Sneak Peek at the 2011 APT International Conference and
How to Put Together a Successful Conference Proposal

Sponsored by APT Internationl

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 3:30 Eastern, 12:30 Pacific: PLEASE CHECK DAY AND TIME FOR YOUR PART OF THE WORLD AT www.timeanddate.com

Session Presenters:
Dov and Judah Pollack, 2011 APTi Conference Co-Chairs

Program Highlights: We will present on how to craft a great proposal. Type is a living, breathing model. It is kept alive every time we use it, every time we share it, every time we have a new insight about it. Nothing would make us happier than for you to come and share your experience, your expertise and your stories with the broader APTi membership. Coming together and sharing is one of the best ways we all help Type grow.

This one hour teleconference will help you, as a Type practitioner, craft a successful proposal and help make this conference the totally best thing ever. So, what’s the secret?

Are you ready?

Be interesting.

What? That’s it? As an INTP who loves the essence of things, yes, that’s it. We will unpack what we mean by this simple mantra in this program. Join us.

One of the things we are trying to do for the 2011 conference is begin speaking with the language and tools of the digital age. We would like to discourage reading from power point. We would like to encourage the use of pictures and video. We would also encourage you all to go to TED.com and watch a few of the talks. They are fast becoming the format for an essay in the digital age and have a knack for going viral.

We will also talk about putting equal time into engaging your audience as well as the actual material you are presenting.

This is not to be interpreted as a shallow, all-flash and no substance style. Rather, we are looking to use this conference to redefine what people think of when they think of Type. And we are hoping many of you will create memorable talks that we will visually record and post online and that some of them might just go viral.

Also: Speaking of videos going viral, have you seen our two speakers' hilarious YouTube video about the 2011 conference? Click below to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6IVwg9UuQw

Speaker Bios: Judah and Dov Pollack are San Francisco Bay Area organizational and leadership development consultants and partners at Pollack Silva Pollack specializing in use of psychological type. They are also co-founders at Rub A Dub Dub Productions, an independent production company.

Dov has co-authored and registered nine screenplays with the Writers Guild of America.

Judah was named writer of the year by the NH Press Association for his coverage of the 2004 Presidential Primary.

About Our Sponsor: The Association for Psychological Type International, founded in 1979, is an international membership organization open to any individual interested in personality type. APTi members come from a variety of backgrounds and professions including business and industry, organization development, religion, education, psychotherapy and counseling. Members seek to extend the development, research, applications and ethical use of type theory. APTi provides opportunities for sharing type information through publications, international and regional conferences, local chapter meetings, and various training programs.

How to Pre-register:Space in this program is limited. Register by September 7 for the best chance to take part in the program and for easier access to call-in information. [Registrations will be taken after that date on a space available basis.]

How to register: Registration is now done through the APTi website at:https://amsweb.faseb.org/faseb/apt_members_online/registration/register.asp?mt=ECHA0910&af=APT

Cost: Though registration is necessary to provide you with the call information, there is no registration fee thanks to APTi who is providing the teleconference line. So the only cost to you will be your toll charges to call in.

About the eChapter: The APTi eChapter is a chapter of the Association for Psychological Type International. It operates in the same way as any traditional chapter of APTi, except that meetings and programs are virtual. Like any other chapter, it manages its own finances and membership. The eChapter's primary charter is to meet the needs of under-served APTi members who are unable to join or participate in a local onground chapter.

To join the eChapter: Call APTi at 1-800-847-9943 or CLICK HERE if you wish to join via the APTi website. If the latter, please note that after completing the membership page and choosing a membership category, an option to join the eChapter appears. Click the eChapter check box and proceed.

Consider joining the eChapter Board of Directors: We are looking for interested eChapter members to join us to improve our services in 2010 or 2011.

Questions:Contact Mary Charles Blakebrough, Immediate Past President (919-493-5424)

Upcoming Programs: November eChapter program: Susan Nash speaking on Let's Split the Difference: Clarifying the Differences Between Similar Types

Also, visit our new blog by Katherine Hirsh by going to our website, http://www.apt-echapter.org/

Questions about joining the eChapter Board of Directors? We are looking for interested eChapter members to join us. Contact President Kathy Howard or Immediate Past President Mary Charles Blakebrough

MBTI®, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, Myers-Briggs®, the MBTI logo, and Introduction to Type® are trademarks or registered trademarks ® of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Trust in the United States and other countries.

Forgive me from deviating from my blog topic, but I feel the need to share my bad experience flying on Continental Airlines with my readers.  

I fly often for my job, but chose Continental for the first time recently.  The outbound flight was uneventful, but the return flight changed my perspective of Continental forever.  

I checked in 12 hours in advance through their online system.  Just before I confirmed my check-in I noticed that I wasn't assigned a seat.  That's never a good sign.  So, I checked the seat map and there was only 1 unreserved seat.  Immediately, I though "Wait, why wasn't I automatically assigned that seat on check in?" The one unreserved seat was in the exit row and according to Continental Airlines, that requires a "premium upgrade" fee of $69.  

First, I was baffled that Continental tries to call the Exit Row a premium seat.  It's not like a luxury upgrade like First Class.  Airlines have no choice but to have an exit row.  How can you charge extra for a standard seat on the plane?

So, I was left with a dilemma.  I assumed the flight was oversold and that was why I wasn't assigned an official seat.  So, I could gamble on the fact that not all seat holders would show up, but then possibly be bumped to a later flight or pay the $69 to guarantee my seat and deal with the issue when I arrived at the airport.  

I grudgingly paid the $69, and took the issue up with the ticket agent as soon as I arrived at the airport.  He explained that the flight had been significantly oversold and I was smart to pay for the exit row seat because there was no way I would have been on that flight otherwise.  He also told me he felt that charging extra for a seat on an oversold flight was wrong and I should file a complaint with Continental.  

It turns out if I hadn't purchased the upgrade, I wouldn't have left Newark until 5:30 that evening.  YIKES!  Can you imagine sitting in Newark's airport for 8+ hours?  

So, I filed a complaint with Continental.  I understand that airlines oversell their flights all the time, but what I have a problem with is charging extra for seats on a plane that is oversold.  If passengers want to upgrade, that's fine, but being forced into an upgrade just to ensure you get a seat on a flight for which you've previously purchased a ticket is horrible.  It's predatory!

It took Continental 11 days to respond to my complaint (wow, I felt really cared for as a customer), and they said "I was glad to see that you chose the option of the Exit Row Seating when you checked in without a seat assignment. To decrease your chances of getting “bumped” from your flight, try to get a pre-assigned seat, even if it’s not your first choice. Regrettably, I must decline your request for a refund for the Exit Row seat as transportation was provided in seat chosen."

So, basically they said "gotcha...sucks to be you."  The whole point is I paid for a seat on THAT plane, and then when the airline CHOSE to oversell the flight, they forced me to AGAIN pay for a seat on THAT plane by backing me into a corner.  

Beware of Continental.  They do not put their customers first.  I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.  I will let you know what happens.

Have you had a similar experience with Continental Airlines?

If case you didn't know, I'm a huge reality TV show fan.  I pretty much watch them all- Amazing Race, Survivor, The Real Housewives, So You Think You Can Dance, etc.  My overall favorite is Big Brother.  If I was a contestant on a contest-based reality tv show I think I'd want to be on Big Brother.

But then I started thinking about my personality type, and I'm not sure that I could win in an environment like that.  As an ISTJ, while I would be at gathering information and evaluating it objectively, I also need plenty of time alone to think and recharge my batteries, I like to be in control of my schedule, I need to know what to expect, and I don't deal well with highly emotional people.  Those aren't the greatest qualities for a Big Brother contestant.

In Big Brother, you need to be very social and constantly part of "the group."  The players who spend lots of time alone are seen as "floaters" or not actively playing the game.  An introvert may also be less likely to share their thoughts or feelings, thus making other players wonder about their true allegiances.  

I think, in general, an Introvert would be at a disadvantage in the Big Brother house.

Do you think any introverts have won in Big Brother?  The only possible BB introvert winners I can think of are Season 6's Maggie or Season 10's Dan.  

What do you think?

After the horrible experience I've had with HP in the last 15 days, I could give you a million reasons NEVER to buy an HP computer, but for now I'll start with 10 reasons.

10.  You will have to repeat every bit of your personal information (phone number, address, serial number, product number, case number, and all details of your product issues) every time you call customer service even though they already have the information stored under your case number.

9.  You will spend at least an hour on the phone with them for the tiniest issue, and the majority of that will be while you are on hold.

8.  You will likely have to call several times just to report your issue because you will be "accidentally disconnected" once the customer service rep realizes they have to process a claim.

7. I will guarantee your battery will "malfunction" before you have owned your laptop for 6 months.

6.  The customer service reps (CSR) cannot deviate from a script and will ask you tons of unnecessary questions.  For example Me: "The laptop won't power on."  CSR: "Can you access the internet?"  Ummmm....NO!

5.  When you ask for a supervisor you will be told "None are available right now."

4.  When you ask for a supervisor to return your call, no one will ever call you.

3.  I guarantee your computer will start malfunctioning right around the end of your warranty period (4 of my 4 friends who owned HP computers had the exact same experience as I had with their HP laptop, and their customer service).

2.   Even if you do get HP to service your laptop, the laptop you receive back will likely have it's hard drive erased (again, 4 of my 4 friends who own HP laptops had the same experience).

1.  Read my experience with HP and you will NEVER want to buy an HP laptop again.

My HP horror story:

I bought my HP Pavilion DV4 laptop on June 2nd, 2009 from Best Buy, and regretted the purchase nearly instantly.  The laptop overheated constantly.  The fans were super loud.  Within 6 months, the battery malfunctioned and it would only run on the power cord.  

However, I didn't realize how slimy and unethical HP was until I started a claim on my warranty on May 29th, 2010.  With 4 days left until my warranty expired, my laptop wouldn't turn on.  It overheated the night before and when I tried to turn it on, the Num Lock and Caps Lock buttons would just flash (HP morse code?).  On that Saturday, I called HP to report the issue and was told the repairs WOULD be covered under warranty and a box would be sent to my house so I could send the laptop in for repairs.  Then, the CSR asked me to hold so that he could put a hardware manager on the line.  After waiting on hold for over 30 minutes, the CSR said no managers were available, but one would call me that day.

I never received a call back.

However, I wasn't too worried about that since I was expecting a box to arrive at my door very soon so my laptop (which still had 4 days left under warranty) could be repaired.  On June 4th, I reached out to HP because a box still had not arrived at my door.  I was then told by Ankit from India, that the laptop warranty had now expired and repairs would not be covered by HP.  I calmly explained that I made the claim while the laptop was under warranty, and was told the repairs would be covered...AND that a box was supposed to be on the way to my house...AND that I was supposed to receive a call from a manager (which never happened).  Ankit interrupted my every sentence saying that it didn't matter, and as of that date, the warranty had expired so there would be no repairs done by HP.  When I requested a manager, none were available.  Shocking.  I requested a manager call me back.  No one ever did call me.  Shocking.  

Ankit (who refused to give me his name until I told him that the Better Business Bureau would need it for when I made my official complain) then said that it was MY fault that the laptop fell out of warranty because "someone" from HP tried to call me and I never answered.  I asked him if they left a message for me (because I knew they didn't) and he said no.  Not only do my cell phone records show no calls from HP or an unknown number, but even if someone did, how would I know that HP had called me if no one left a message?

So, I ended my call with the obnoxiously rude Ankit and wrote HP an email explaining the situation and wondering why it was MY fault that HP failed to send me a box.  A CSR returned my email immediately (June 4th) with 4 suggestions for troubleshooting my laptop (which wouldn't even turn on) and asked that I send my address so they could send a box for repairs if those troubleshooting steps didn't work.  They also asked for my phone number and convenient times to call (which would make me think someone would call....no one did).  I sent all of the requested info (still on June 4th)....and still...NO BOX.

On June 9th, I emailed again asking when I should expect my box so I could send in my laptop for repairs.  I received an email that said "I have requested the concern department with high priority regarding your case. They will be getting in touch to as soon as possible."  (By the way, their emails are always full of broken English).

Then on June 10th, I received the following email:

"This is Dennis from HP Total Care.

Breanne, I have contacted our supervisor regarding the issue with your notebook and he informed that the case cannot be escalated to the case manager as the box was shipped to you when the notebook was covered in warranty and you were unable to ship the notebook to the service center at that time. However, at this point of time, I recommend you to contact the nearest HP Authorized Service Provider to get the notebook repaired as the warranty of the notebook was already expired."

Wait a minute....what box???  I never received a box.  So my claim was denied because of a magical missing box?  Not only that, but don't you think someone should have said "We're sending you a box, but you should know that this is Saturday, so at the earliest the box would be sent from us on Monday and at the EARLIEST you would receive it on Tuesday which is the last day of your warranty, so you should know in advance that there's no way we're going to cover this claim.  Ha Ha...sucks to be you."  

So....I emailed back and requested the tracking number for this magical mystery box.  One would think that if they sent me a box, there should be a tracking number, and I'm sure this will be key information for the Better Business Bureau when they investigate the claim.  

I received the following response: 

"I have gone through all the interactions of your email and I completely understand the issue.

I see that our Phone Support Team has promised you setup a free mail-in repair for the unit for overheating issue, since you have contacted them during warranty period. However, at the time of setting up service, the warranty on the unit has expired.

Breanne, we do not have direct visibility to the cases handled by our phone support team. Hence, I recommend you to contact the HP Phone Support team once again for required details. 

The idea of redirecting you is not to disappoint you and let you down from our support. We are bind by the limitations of email responses and I am sure our Phone Support Team  will be happy to assist you further. I hope that you understand our limitations and scope of support."

So, I emailed back saying "Wait a minute...you're denying my claim BECAUSE I supposedly failed to send in my laptop in the box YOU SAY you sent, but you can't even see evidence that a box was sent?"  Something smells fishy in HP world.  

I received this email today (June 14th at 2:14 am):

"I discussed with our supervisor about your case. I am escalating this case to our higher authority and on the priority basis; they will forward your case to the Case Manager. You will get callback from the Case Manager within 2 or 3 business days."

I'm not holding my breath.

If this doesn't show how skilled HP is at getting out of making repairs for laptops that are under warranty, then I don't know what could.  I will keep you all updated on what happens next, including my claim with the Better Business Bureau, but in the meantime, please let HP know you will not stand for unethical business practices by sharing this story with everyone you know.  Digg it, Facebook it, StumbleUpon it, and Tweet it using the #boycotthp hashtag.  

Has anyone else had a horrible experience with HP?  I'd love to hear from you!!!

This is another webinar announcement from APT eChapter.  Their webinars are fantastic and often free!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Join Us

A Free Webinar Hosted by the APT eChapter and 

Sponsored by Type Resources

Connecting Archetypal Energies and Type Dynamics

Speaker: Robert W. McAlpine, MA, President of Type Resources

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern/12:30 Pacific

PLEASE CHECK DAY AND TIME FOR YOUR PART OF THE WORLD  AT www.timeanddate.com

Pre-registration: Space in this program is limited. Register below by June 22 for the best chance to take part in the program. If room allows, the registration page will remain open to accept late registrants. Early registration is recommended due to the computer system check necessary to use the webinar software.

Program Highlights:  This workshop will demonstrate the reality of Type Dynamics and the value of applying them in interpersonal relations. Most MBTI® practitioners view Type Dynamics as a hierarchical system that identifies the relative frequency one accesses mental functions and the skillfulness one has with using the mental functions.  Bob’s presentation will provide you with a different way for working with Type Dynamics that works with archetypal energies associated with each position in the system. This framework helps us understand why we are resistant to development beyond our dominant and auxiliary functions. This model also allows us to understand why we make projections onto others and receive projections from others.  This workshop will demonstrate the reality of Type Dynamics and the value of applying archetypal energies in interpersonal relations.

Speaker Bio: Bob’s leadership and extraordinary classroom skills draw on more than two decades of experience as a career military officer, the U.S. Army’s Organizational Leadership and TQM Programs for Executives, experience as a DDI Certified Master Assessor, and graduate research on the MBTI® and Situational Leadership. He has designed and managed leadership assessment and development programs for hundreds of army officers and qualified hundreds of Type Resources clients to use the MBTI®.

How to Pre-register: Pre-registration is done through the APTi website .Click here to pre-register. If you do not see a registration form followed by program information, go to:

http://www.aptinternational.org/

Hover your mouse over the Training Button in the green navigation bar near the page top, then click Training Schedule to select this event again.

Non-members/Guests: Register as directed.

Cost:  Free, thanks to our sponsor, Type Resources, Inc.

Deadline for Pre-registration: Space in this program is limited. Register by June 22 for the best chance to take part in the program. If room allows, the registration page will remain open to accept late registrants. Early registration is recommended due to the computer system check necessary to use the webinar software. 

CEs: Our application for 1 MBTI® Master Practitioner Credential Program CE is pending approval.

About our Sponsor: Type Resources is a company best known for its president’s and associates’ business and organizational experience which underlies a practical, real-life perspective on psychological testing, theory, and application to yield powerful results. Their goal is to create greater awareness of others and ourselves. In the face of new and greater challenges, working to develop and maintain relationships - both professional and personal – has always been the mark of Type Resources’ success. More information is available at www.type-resources.com/

About the eChapter: The APT eChapter is an independent chapter of the Association for Psychological Type International. It operates the same way as any traditional chapter of APTi, except that meetings and programs are virtual. Like any other chapter, it manages its own finances and membership. The eChapter's primary charter is to meet the needs of underserved APTi members who are unable to join or participate in a local chapter.

To Join the eChapter: Call APTi at 1-800-847-9943 or click here if you wish to join via the APTi website. If the latter, please note that after completing the membership page and choosing a membership category, an option to join the eChapter appears. Click the eChapter check box and proceed.

Consider joining the eChapter Board of Directors: We are looking for interested eChapter members to join us to improve our services in 2010 or 2011.

Questions on Pre-registration or Joining the eChapter Board of Directors: Contact Mary Charles Blakebrough, Immediate Past President at mcbreakthrough@mindspring.com

Upcoming:

Watch for more exciting programming in 2010

Also, visit our blog hosted by Katherine Hirsh by going to our website, http://www.apt-echapter.org/