Nostradamus Was Right, World-End Is Coming!
Watch out for that tiger!
Nah! Nostradamus made good money selling nonsense to the impressionable, but he makes for good comedy relief leading into my next topic; which is quite serious.
A lot has been written about techniques for business people in the new millennium. I happen to believe that the required skills are largely timeless; being applicable at all times. But perhaps there is one factor that we should pay very close attention to at this particular time.
We’ve been through many economic downturns and survived; including the Great Depression. But I think the one we’re in now deserves special attention. It’s unique because there are financial tidal-forces of monumental size out there that haven’t played out yet. Just consider the multi-trillion, largely-unregulated, highly-speculative derivatives market. A good portion of it is tied to the mortgage mess, and those instruments haven’t been priced down to their true value on balance sheets yet.
Somewhere along the way there’s going to be a day of reckoning, and it’s not going to be pretty.
The actions of the Fed & Treasury to throw “funny-money” (huge quantities of new, unbacked money) at the mess have just frozen it in time. There will come a thaw. What will we have when it comes? The money-throwing might help stem economic deflation, but it will inevitably create huge monetary inflation. We have yet to deal with that monster. And if we can’t stem the economic deflation, we might get the unique “thrill” of having deflation and inflation simultaneously. It’s enough to make one very queasy.
The Wall Street pundits blow sunshine at us because they don’t know what else to do. I can smell their fear. The government just seems to be in a stunned state.
Given the oddity and uniqueness of the situation, it’s difficult for most businesses and individuals to surmise what the impact to them will be. This, of course, leaves everyone in a high state of anxiety.
If you’re not aware enough yet to feel edgy, I highly recommend you start now.
We all want to believe that it will work out okay. Government “talking heads” come out periodically to tell us so. But I don’t think anyone really knows. The banks don’t want to lend to each other for fear of what the “other guy” is holding in his hand. “Will they go under and take me with them”". It’s like a scary game of poker. The banks aren’t loaning out the money they got for their junk mortgage instruments from the Fed because their balance sheets are in jeopardy. The Fed is probably in the best position to know the true nature of the situation, because they bought a lot of the junk. But the Fed isn’t talking. They won’t even say who they gave the money to.
I can’t prove it, but I’ve believed for a long time that the government manipulates the markets during such times through their finance house partners. The “Plunge Protection Team” (The President’s Working Group on Financial Markets) is, after all, quite real and various statements have slipped out of the Fed hinting at such activity. So we are left wondering what is real, and what is smoke & mirrors. Main Street is left holding the bag - with their liquidity cut off and with no good sense of what’s coming.
About six months ago I learned something that made me really frosty. It seems an executive order was put in place to absolve public companies from having to meet full disclosure rules in a national emergency. If the government deems it “necessary” for “national security purposes”, a public company doesn’t have to tell their investors the full truth. Is anybody besides me scared to death at that prospect? I can’t help wondering if it’s being applied now; and to what extent.
In my opinion, we really managed to make a mess of things this time and people have good reason to be concerned.
Which brings me to my subject. Now is a very good time to sharpen your intuitive senses. In the best of times we of the modern world are buried in information. Sorting through it to keep ourselves founded can be daunting. Now we’re faced with challenges that have no precedent, and for which we have no feeling of the potential hazard. Pay attention.
When a farmer in India has a tiger in the neighborhood, he has no trouble keeping his priorities straight. He’s got to feed the family, and there’s endless chores to do, but that tiger is always in the fore-front of his mind. We need to be a lot like that farmer, and use our intuitive senses to help us keep alerted to potential danger.
Since the first humans sat in their caves at night listening to the predators snarling in the moonlight, we’ve been building a strong survival instinct. In our civilized world, that instinct has been dulled. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the wolves from the sheep. But the instinct is still there if we listen.
There’s a tiger in our neighborhood, and perhaps some wolves too. This is a very good time to heighten our senses and watch for trouble. If it comes, it will probably arrive quickly and in a form we’re not accustomed to. Like that farmer, we have to watch for surprise attacks from the bushes.
Good luck to all of us.
Al Walsh is a regular contributor and has launched his consulting practice. Please enjoy his other posts and comments he is a favorite at The NEW New World of Work.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tips to Improve your Public Speaking by Susan Levin
-
Good speakers become great speakers with the proper training. Investing in professional speaker training can greatly improve your bottom line.
Tap into your authenticity, innate creativity and spirit-
Position yourself as a credible expert and get to the next level-
Command-Brand your message with a phrase that pays-
Streamline your ideas into a well-organized presentation with a proven template systematic work plan-
Select irresistible topics and titles that grab attention-
Produce presentations that captivate and attract attention and motivate action and get results- Create a clear focus and deliver ideas effectively with confidence that inspire any audience to accept and remember your message and take action
This is from Susan's Speakers' Bootcamp
Good speakers become great speakers with the proper training. Investing in professional speaker training can greatly improve your bottom line.
Tap into your authenticity, innate creativity and spirit-
Position yourself as a credible expert and get to the next level-
Command-Brand your message with a phrase that pays-
Streamline your ideas into a well-organized presentation with a proven template systematic work plan-
Select irresistible topics and titles that grab attention-
Produce presentations that captivate and attract attention and motivate action and get results- Create a clear focus and deliver ideas effectively with confidence that inspire any audience to accept and remember your message and take action
This is from Susan's Speakers' Bootcamp
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
How Do Thoughts Rule Your World? Choosing Our Intentions from Mary J. Lore's New Book, MANAGING THOUGHT
Choosing our Intentions
Many of us just live each day as we did yesterday and do not think about what we want or what can be the greater good of each moment. Often we think about what we desire. To achieve what we want, however, requires more than just want and desire. It requires intention. Intention is the spark that ignites the flame of desire and burns it into reality.
Do you have a written vision statement or intention for your organization or your family? For your role in your organization or your family? For yourself? Your life? Your career? Your relationship with your children, your direct reports, your customers, your boss, your marriage, your education, your well-being?
When we are clear on our intentions, we achieve clarity of purpose. We are clear on what matters to us, on what we value. By being continually mindful of our intentions, we transform our relationships, our lives, our families and our organizations and live the lives we intend. This chapter details with examples and stories, 9 Rules of Thumb on Creating Your Intention:
1. Frame your intention proactively.
2. State your intention in its highest way.
3. Frame your intention in the active, present tense.
4. Focus your intention on “being” rather than “doing.
5. State the good that you do as you are living your intention.
6. Allow yourself to imagine your intended reality with as many of your senses and emotions as possible.
7. Write your intention down.
8. Read your intention out loud and notice how you feel.
9. Think your vision as often as possible. State your intention as often as possible. Write your intention as often as possible.
For more information about how to purchase Mary J. Lore's new book, please visit her website http://www.managingthought.com/
MARY J. LORE
_________________________________________
Mary J. Lore is an internationally recognized leader, executive mentor, public speaker and the author of Managing Thought: How Do Your Thoughts Rule Your World? She is the founder and CEO of Managing Thought, LLC, which helps individuals and organizations develop self-awareness and change how they think and conduct business to attain long-lasting success.
Many of us just live each day as we did yesterday and do not think about what we want or what can be the greater good of each moment. Often we think about what we desire. To achieve what we want, however, requires more than just want and desire. It requires intention. Intention is the spark that ignites the flame of desire and burns it into reality.
Do you have a written vision statement or intention for your organization or your family? For your role in your organization or your family? For yourself? Your life? Your career? Your relationship with your children, your direct reports, your customers, your boss, your marriage, your education, your well-being?
When we are clear on our intentions, we achieve clarity of purpose. We are clear on what matters to us, on what we value. By being continually mindful of our intentions, we transform our relationships, our lives, our families and our organizations and live the lives we intend. This chapter details with examples and stories, 9 Rules of Thumb on Creating Your Intention:
1. Frame your intention proactively.
2. State your intention in its highest way.
3. Frame your intention in the active, present tense.
4. Focus your intention on “being” rather than “doing.
5. State the good that you do as you are living your intention.
6. Allow yourself to imagine your intended reality with as many of your senses and emotions as possible.
7. Write your intention down.
8. Read your intention out loud and notice how you feel.
9. Think your vision as often as possible. State your intention as often as possible. Write your intention as often as possible.
For more information about how to purchase Mary J. Lore's new book, please visit her website http://www.managingthought.com/
MARY J. LORE
_________________________________________
Mary J. Lore is an internationally recognized leader, executive mentor, public speaker and the author of Managing Thought: How Do Your Thoughts Rule Your World? She is the founder and CEO of Managing Thought, LLC, which helps individuals and organizations develop self-awareness and change how they think and conduct business to attain long-lasting success.
An Open Letter to President-Elect Obama by Al Walsh
Thoughts on the Economy Going-Forward.
Dear President-Elect Obama,
We Americans are all trying to come to grips with the train-wreck that is our economy, and I wish you well as you contemplate the challenges that lie ahead.
Everyone’s forming opinions about what we should do, so I might as well throw mine into the hat.
The media informs me that you are contemplating a WPA-style federal work program as a corner-stone of your policy. It certainly has it’s merits as a way of getting people back to work and getting money circulating again, but the effects will be transitory at best. The jobs will eventually go away, leaving us with another hole to fill. The administration of such a program will require a large federal bureaucracy. We all know how efficient that would be. We also know how such jobs tend to hang around long after the need has dissolved. Do the taxpayers really need that burden?
Every critique needs an alternative, so here’s mine.
Instead of the works program, how about a tax break for the small & medium sized businesses that have become the engines of creativity & innovation in our country? Give these people a fraction of the money you propose to throw into the works program, and they’ll make things happen fast.
They all run their businesses lean & mean out of necessity. They’re all cash & capital starved. They’re the last people the banks consider for a loan. They have minds bursting with ideas that they can’t implement for lack of capital.
We don’t just need to create jobs, especially short-term transitory jobs.; We need to create lasting jobs, and new industries to replace the ones that have been lost overseas.
I think an investment in the small & mid-sized businesses would generate much greater gains at a fraction of the cost.
Yes, we need to rebuild our infrastructure. But my plan would drive massive new tax revenues into state treasuries for the purpose.
Why create a bloated new bureaucracy when efficient bureaucracies already exist that just need a boost?
Given your just-issued warning to the nation about trillion dollar deficits for years to come, I think my suggestion is quite apropos.
Please think hard and fast before you act.
Best of Luck. God Bless You, and God Bless America.
We don’t just need to create jobs, especially short-term transitory jobs.; We need to create lasting jobs, and new industries to replace the ones that have been lost overseas.
I think an investment in the small & mid-sized businesses would generate much greater gains at a fraction of the cost.
Yes, we need to rebuild our infrastructure. But my plan would drive massive new tax revenues into state treasuries for the purpose.
Why create a bloated new bureaucracy when efficient bureaucracies already exist that just need a boost?
Given your just-issued warning to the nation about trillion dollar deficits for years to come, I think my suggestion is quite apropos.
Please think hard and fast before you act.
Best of Luck. God Bless You, and God Bless America.
Advice for Executives ... Timing is getting better for you by Patty DeDominic.
I was asked by an accomplished executive recently what I thought he might be doing wrong...... and for any added suggestions to generate some stronger job offers. Here's what I told him:
YOU are probably doing all the right things. Continue doing what you know is the smart way to reach out for job offers.
YOU are probably doing all the right things. Continue doing what you know is the smart way to reach out for job offers.
Treat potential employers as you would treat your best clients.
This economy has caused more stress in the past year than I have seen in my 30 year career.
Just keep doing the good things you know you need to do to strengthen your network and your personal brand. Be out in front with and for them. Go to professional organizations, talk to your colleagues and keep your references updated on your education, accomplishments and plans whenever you can. I would also "write to" your target more in other blogs/letters to editors and magazines, e-zines etc. I think a lot of short, smart and to the point articles strategically positioned can help build your personal brand. Branding is something the coaches have telling people to build for years and now more and more are understanding this fine art.
It really is a "GIG Nation" now a days...and as you tend your network you will see the quality of your Gig's increasing so long as you leave em happy in your last gig.
Just keep doing the good things you know you need to do to strengthen your network and your personal brand. Be out in front with and for them. Go to professional organizations, talk to your colleagues and keep your references updated on your education, accomplishments and plans whenever you can. I would also "write to" your target more in other blogs/letters to editors and magazines, e-zines etc. I think a lot of short, smart and to the point articles strategically positioned can help build your personal brand. Branding is something the coaches have telling people to build for years and now more and more are understanding this fine art.
It really is a "GIG Nation" now a days...and as you tend your network you will see the quality of your Gig's increasing so long as you leave em happy in your last gig.
Many have started their own blogs. USE CARE! This can be a good idea for many professionals who want to keep current and continue to stay on the radar. Just remember that blogs and your Linked In profiles and Facebooks and the myriad of social media have the ability to hang around forever so please only write that which you will be OK with showing up on the front pages of USA TODAY or the Walls Street Journal. Media trainers have warned for years, there is no such thing as "Off the Record"
Public directors and officers of SEC and other larger corporations are usually are discouraged from email and blogging. So use caution and unless you are very very skilled at minding your words, you may wish to have one or two proof readers give it a sniff test before you launch yourself "out there".
One final tip for those seeking recognition for past accomplishments.
Forget about it.
Your history can help predict your destiny but employers rarely make offers just because of what you did on your last gig: Employers of today and tomorrow want to know what YOU can DO FOR THEM... How are you going to MAKE OR SAVE THEM Time and Money TODAY AND in the next big project? Get good at being able to get YOUR VALUE (as it pertains to THEM) across to potential referral sources, clients and employers and the offers will multiply!
We welcome your comments. Patty DeDominic
We welcome your comments. Patty DeDominic
Monday, January 5, 2009
Teaching the Teacher from Dexter J. Valles
The arbiter of knowledge and skills, the teacher, is a revered figure around the world. In India, the teacher is known as the guru, the wise one who can be trusted to lead the knowledge-blind and shine the light of competence and skills in the darkness of ignorance and incompetence.
Over time it has been realized that the wise one is not necessarily the most skilled teacher. Learning proficiently and transferring the learning just as well is not really as simple as it seems. It takes far more skill to teach than to learn.
The teacher has not only to have a full and wholesome appreciation of the subject but also know how best to transfer this in its entirety in a useful manner to the learner considering the learning styles and needs of each individual learner.
Whilst studies have been popularized concerning learning styles, and suitable adaptation of knowledge transference has been undertaken to match the varied learning styles of participants, the newer platform of transference has to do with the multiple intelligences that seem to be far more effective in reaching across to the learner.
The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on IQ testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes several different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:
• Linguistic intelligence (word smart)
• Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
• Spatial intelligence (picture smart)
• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (body smart)
• Musical intelligence (music smart)
• Interpersonal intelligence (people smart)
• Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart)
• Naturalist intelligence (nature smart)
How does this affect us learning facilitators and trainers and our participants?
The theory of multiple intelligences has strong implications for adult learning and development. Many adults and young professionals seeking to make their mark in life often find themselves in jobs that do not make optimal use of their most highly developed intelligences. For example, the highly bodily-kinesthetic individual may be stuck in a linguistic or logical desk-job like customer care when he or she would be much happier in a job where they could move around, such as in front-line sales.
The theory of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood (such as a love for art or drama) but now have the opportunity to develop through courses, hobbies, or other programs of self-development.
This is another way of chasing away the boredom with the routine or the mundane work one becomes habituated to accept and live with, lowering the levels of enthusiasm, responsiveness and creativity – some of the essential ingredients for success in these competitive times.
What we must recognize is that these multiple intelligences offer choices to (a) trainers/teachers/learning & development facilitators to use varied methods and practices of transferring and processing learning deliverables and to (b) participants to acquire and learn varied methods of addressing work itself, using creative methods to address work issues through the favoured and more developed intelligences
Let’s look at the eight intelligences and how training or learning methods can be matched against them.
Linguistic intelligence (word smart): Reference reading material, reference books, well scripted program handbooks.
Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart) Case studies, problem solving models & techniques, inventory/ questionnaire/ response form/ instrument evaluation & analysis.
Spatial intelligence (picture smart): Use of graphs, charts, pictures and diagrams.
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (body smart): Role plays, projects, structured training games/activities.
Musical intelligence (music smart): Music with learning deliverable lyrics. Participants create musical learning summaries using popular tunes, leveraging nursery rhymes to advanced learning songs & anthems.
Interpersonal intelligence (people smart): Team exercises that need the identification and use of the varied resources of team members.
Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart): Presentations by participants on processed learning, role-reversals. Participants study and deliver (teach) selected modules in the program itself, participants are asked to create learning models/modules
Naturalist intelligence (nature smart): Learning from real world experiences, interpretations and guiding principles that emerge from such experiences.
Dr. Howard Gardner says that other than areas of developed expertise, most of us react or process and infer learning outcomes in all other areas in the manner we used to do as 5-year-old kids – the earliest levels of cognitive intelligence.
Implications of this are as follows for trainers/facilitators/teachers and our corporate participants:
1. As trainers/teachers/facilitators we need to be experts at what we teach else we are simply transferring our own 5-year-old childish reasoning and logic to the participants, who receive it believing it is the word of the expert. The snowballing consequences are nightmarish!
2. To be experts, demands more than average attention and learning in the area of study.
3. Extensive reading (to replace extensive research and study) is the minimal effort one has to undertake to raise the levels of personal awareness, knowledge/content and competence/understanding.
4. Participants are unlikely to react in the ‘expected’ manner in either receiving, processing or understanding the learning deliverables, as they are most likely to be at a level of ‘non-expert’ in these areas and therefore would have learning conclusions matching their own 5-year-old level of logic and belief.
Concluding remarks
This exercise leads us to some interesting conclusions in the training-learning process:
a. Content transference is easily possible at an adult learning level. Summarising received content at the end of the program is not an indication of learning or understanding as pointed out by Dr. Gardner.
b. Understanding can only be ascertained when participants apply the learning in simulated real world experiences that are necessarily different from the experience created when delivering the concept. For example, participants can offer each other their own past experiences and ask others how they would use the learning to have handled the situation, or offer their own new approaches to the old
c. Training videos, role plays, case study experiments, training exercises, need to be processed with ‘understanding’ in mind – not a simple analysis of what happened in the experiment or video or exercise, which is what participants tend to explain, but how this learning can be applied at work/back in real life.
d. Similarly hoping that the video/exercise or experiment is ‘self-explanatory’ is not constructive as the learning derived by participants is likely to be unprocessed content management and learning summaries are derived from the 5-year-old child-like ‘theories of life’. The ‘expert’ must anchor the learning rather than leave loose ends to be automatically tied.
e. Understanding can be investigated only by moving from basic questions like what, why, how to the more advance ‘aesthetic’ level questioning skills/questions that ask participants to offer personally processed input that has direct bearing on their work practices or behavior.
f. This points to program design and delivery process. Program designs which are packed almost like a school time table leave very little processing and understanding time. The program flow is often ‘impaired’ by handling lack of understanding or processing by participants and therefore participants learn to respond by cleverly managing the showcasing of content to represent learning and understanding, in order to release the program flow and time which tends to be the casualty, in a concept-crowded program.
g. The facilitator has to be equipped to deal with the following learning hurdles which participants will unconsciously throw up.
■Misconceptions: Based on their past experiences, pet theories and assumptions
■Rigid algorithms/formulas: Formed from their earlier explanations of how the world works; input to output formulas that worked or seemed to work; expert opinions of others they consider experts, information in magazines/MIS data (tabulated and charted data tends to overwhelm the thinking and understanding process).
■Stereotyping and world views held by participants to diagnose and judge the rest of the world , in order to make decisions, are usually based on earlier formed assumptions and perceptions which without confrontation or validity checks, often script the guide book of their current life.
Dexter J Valles, business and life trainer renowned for his programs under the “At the Steering Wheel of Life” and “Winning Edge” banners, is CEO of VALMAR INTERNATIONAL, a Mumbai-based management consultancy. Contact him at www.valmarinternational.com or http://valmar.page.tl
As seen on tickled by Life on Jan. 5, 2009
Over time it has been realized that the wise one is not necessarily the most skilled teacher. Learning proficiently and transferring the learning just as well is not really as simple as it seems. It takes far more skill to teach than to learn.
The teacher has not only to have a full and wholesome appreciation of the subject but also know how best to transfer this in its entirety in a useful manner to the learner considering the learning styles and needs of each individual learner.
Whilst studies have been popularized concerning learning styles, and suitable adaptation of knowledge transference has been undertaken to match the varied learning styles of participants, the newer platform of transference has to do with the multiple intelligences that seem to be far more effective in reaching across to the learner.
The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on IQ testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes several different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:
• Linguistic intelligence (word smart)
• Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
• Spatial intelligence (picture smart)
• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (body smart)
• Musical intelligence (music smart)
• Interpersonal intelligence (people smart)
• Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart)
• Naturalist intelligence (nature smart)
How does this affect us learning facilitators and trainers and our participants?
The theory of multiple intelligences has strong implications for adult learning and development. Many adults and young professionals seeking to make their mark in life often find themselves in jobs that do not make optimal use of their most highly developed intelligences. For example, the highly bodily-kinesthetic individual may be stuck in a linguistic or logical desk-job like customer care when he or she would be much happier in a job where they could move around, such as in front-line sales.
The theory of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood (such as a love for art or drama) but now have the opportunity to develop through courses, hobbies, or other programs of self-development.
This is another way of chasing away the boredom with the routine or the mundane work one becomes habituated to accept and live with, lowering the levels of enthusiasm, responsiveness and creativity – some of the essential ingredients for success in these competitive times.
What we must recognize is that these multiple intelligences offer choices to (a) trainers/teachers/learning & development facilitators to use varied methods and practices of transferring and processing learning deliverables and to (b) participants to acquire and learn varied methods of addressing work itself, using creative methods to address work issues through the favoured and more developed intelligences
Let’s look at the eight intelligences and how training or learning methods can be matched against them.
Linguistic intelligence (word smart): Reference reading material, reference books, well scripted program handbooks.
Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart) Case studies, problem solving models & techniques, inventory/ questionnaire/ response form/ instrument evaluation & analysis.
Spatial intelligence (picture smart): Use of graphs, charts, pictures and diagrams.
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (body smart): Role plays, projects, structured training games/activities.
Musical intelligence (music smart): Music with learning deliverable lyrics. Participants create musical learning summaries using popular tunes, leveraging nursery rhymes to advanced learning songs & anthems.
Interpersonal intelligence (people smart): Team exercises that need the identification and use of the varied resources of team members.
Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart): Presentations by participants on processed learning, role-reversals. Participants study and deliver (teach) selected modules in the program itself, participants are asked to create learning models/modules
Naturalist intelligence (nature smart): Learning from real world experiences, interpretations and guiding principles that emerge from such experiences.
Dr. Howard Gardner says that other than areas of developed expertise, most of us react or process and infer learning outcomes in all other areas in the manner we used to do as 5-year-old kids – the earliest levels of cognitive intelligence.
Implications of this are as follows for trainers/facilitators/teachers and our corporate participants:
1. As trainers/teachers/facilitators we need to be experts at what we teach else we are simply transferring our own 5-year-old childish reasoning and logic to the participants, who receive it believing it is the word of the expert. The snowballing consequences are nightmarish!
2. To be experts, demands more than average attention and learning in the area of study.
3. Extensive reading (to replace extensive research and study) is the minimal effort one has to undertake to raise the levels of personal awareness, knowledge/content and competence/understanding.
4. Participants are unlikely to react in the ‘expected’ manner in either receiving, processing or understanding the learning deliverables, as they are most likely to be at a level of ‘non-expert’ in these areas and therefore would have learning conclusions matching their own 5-year-old level of logic and belief.
Concluding remarks
This exercise leads us to some interesting conclusions in the training-learning process:
a. Content transference is easily possible at an adult learning level. Summarising received content at the end of the program is not an indication of learning or understanding as pointed out by Dr. Gardner.
b. Understanding can only be ascertained when participants apply the learning in simulated real world experiences that are necessarily different from the experience created when delivering the concept. For example, participants can offer each other their own past experiences and ask others how they would use the learning to have handled the situation, or offer their own new approaches to the old
c. Training videos, role plays, case study experiments, training exercises, need to be processed with ‘understanding’ in mind – not a simple analysis of what happened in the experiment or video or exercise, which is what participants tend to explain, but how this learning can be applied at work/back in real life.
d. Similarly hoping that the video/exercise or experiment is ‘self-explanatory’ is not constructive as the learning derived by participants is likely to be unprocessed content management and learning summaries are derived from the 5-year-old child-like ‘theories of life’. The ‘expert’ must anchor the learning rather than leave loose ends to be automatically tied.
e. Understanding can be investigated only by moving from basic questions like what, why, how to the more advance ‘aesthetic’ level questioning skills/questions that ask participants to offer personally processed input that has direct bearing on their work practices or behavior.
f. This points to program design and delivery process. Program designs which are packed almost like a school time table leave very little processing and understanding time. The program flow is often ‘impaired’ by handling lack of understanding or processing by participants and therefore participants learn to respond by cleverly managing the showcasing of content to represent learning and understanding, in order to release the program flow and time which tends to be the casualty, in a concept-crowded program.
g. The facilitator has to be equipped to deal with the following learning hurdles which participants will unconsciously throw up.
■Misconceptions: Based on their past experiences, pet theories and assumptions
■Rigid algorithms/formulas: Formed from their earlier explanations of how the world works; input to output formulas that worked or seemed to work; expert opinions of others they consider experts, information in magazines/MIS data (tabulated and charted data tends to overwhelm the thinking and understanding process).
■Stereotyping and world views held by participants to diagnose and judge the rest of the world , in order to make decisions, are usually based on earlier formed assumptions and perceptions which without confrontation or validity checks, often script the guide book of their current life.
Dexter J Valles, business and life trainer renowned for his programs under the “At the Steering Wheel of Life” and “Winning Edge” banners, is CEO of VALMAR INTERNATIONAL, a Mumbai-based management consultancy. Contact him at www.valmarinternational.com or http://valmar.page.tl
As seen on tickled by Life on Jan. 5, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
SALLY in the Middle East, January 3, 2009
Here's more about our friend Sally, American living in Kuwait:
I have my Bachelor's of Science degree with a strong specialty from a prestigous University in the USA.
My home town is San Francisco, California so I am accustomed to a great climate, smart people and lots of opportunities. I also have my MBA in Accounting and Finance from an east coast Graduate school.
Just today, I have sent my resume to a boutique PE firm based in San Francisco in which the Manager is presently in China. It is for an Analyst position in which I would be able to fulfill this position virtually while here in Egypt. This Manager, whom I had met through LinkedIN, is going to put in for me to get this position along with his recommendation. I will let you know if I do end up getting this position which would be optimal.
Sally's latest experiences using Linked In and working Virtually in the middle east
I have my Bachelor's of Science degree with a strong specialty from a prestigous University in the USA.
My home town is San Francisco, California so I am accustomed to a great climate, smart people and lots of opportunities. I also have my MBA in Accounting and Finance from an east coast Graduate school.
Just today, I have sent my resume to a boutique PE firm based in San Francisco in which the Manager is presently in China. It is for an Analyst position in which I would be able to fulfill this position virtually while here in Egypt. This Manager, whom I had met through LinkedIN, is going to put in for me to get this position along with his recommendation. I will let you know if I do end up getting this position which would be optimal.
Sally's latest experiences using Linked In and working Virtually in the middle east
Al Walsh on the US Economy
What to Do About the U.S. Economy
We need to change the way we think and act.
In order to understand where the U.S. is now economically, it helps to go back and review our history:
We started off as an agrarian society, with small cottage industries springing up here & there. Our cottage industries got a jump-start after the Revolutionary War when the British cut us off from many of their manufactured goods, out of spite, and we had to develop domestic supply-sources.
We then progressed through our industrial revolution, which was fed by a plentiful supply of natural resources and immigrant labor; plus technology bought or ”borrowed” from the British.
Our industrial revolution was prolonged and intensified by the supply demands of the Civil War.
Along came World Wars I & II, and the post-war reconstruction of Europe via the Marshall Plan: putting our industrial-capacity on “steroids” and promoting innovation.
At this point we were the economic “masters of the world”; and just about any citizen could start a business & succeed, often despite themselves, because of the massive global demand.
After the post-war reconstruction, other developing nations started progressing through their own industrial revolutions; taking away traditional U.S. industries and generating intense competition.
We’re now at a point where our few remaining manufacturing activities are under threat, and we’ve been reduced to a largely technology & service-provider role. Our technological strength, which ramped up during WWII and has stayed strong since, helped us maintain an edge. But other countries have now progressed to the point where they are doing the long-term basic research which is slowly chipping away at our technology lead.
In order to survive, many of our corporations have gone global; outplacing production and labor offshore.
Recent events in our previously world-dominant financial industry have left open questions about their future influence on global economics.
Our dollar, which has served as the world’s reserve currency since the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971, is under fire and waning in influence. The Fed & Treasury are creating massive dollar inflation to combat economic deflation; we have yet to deal with the ugly after-effects.
Our government has displayed gross ineptness in dealing with domestic affairs, let alone global ones. Massive debt is building that may take generations to dissipate. The Social Security mess hangs over everyone’s heads; and no one in government wants to deal with it.
Our natural resources are going offshore to feed other nations’ industries, and we have become a consumer society; serving as the world’s primary marketplace - however even that status is starting to wane as our societal wealth dissipates.
Our savings-rate has declined to near-zero; as a result, core-investment is declining.
We do a mediocre job of educating our youth and preparing them for adulthood.
So where does that leave us going forward?
In case you think we’re in for major realignment; we’ve already been doing it for decades - with global competition, and lack of response on our part, forcing fundamental changes across our economy. The trend will continue and intensify as China & India progress through their industrial development.
I think America is still in shock and hasn’t come to grips with the situation. We’re still trying to live and conduct business as if we’re in the post-WWII halcyon era.
What can we as individuals and a society do about it?
Our budding entrepreneurs are leading the way and providing the model. Just to get up & running and survive they must identify niche opportunities, and operate lean & mean. They must keep a good eye on the competition, and find ways to steal market-share. They forever seek ways to keep our bloated, unfocused government out of their affairs and their pockets. They’re reaching offshore and taking risks to pursue new opportunities. They’re developing new technologies, and leaner business models.
I’m not sure what will happen concerning our government. We have the government that we chose. Year after year we go to the voting booths; and what we have now is the result of our cumulative decisions as a nation. All I can offer to America is - “Wake up and smell the coffee”. If you don’t like the results, change them! Now! Please!
These days the news surrounding the auto industry encourages us to point our collective fingers and criticize. But ask yourself - Do you run your personal affairs any more efficiently? Most Americans spend more than they take in. Our national wealth is collecting into fewer & fewer hands. We elected the governments that have for decades created so much waste & inefficiency with our hard-earned dollars. We buy… and buy… and buy… while our savings accounts are collecting moths. We’ve transitioned from being a conservative, collaborative post-war society to a liberal Me, Me, Me… I, I, I - focused culture.
If you want to make a difference in our society, start by changing your personal habits. Then go apply good habits everywhere you can at work; saving money, promoting innovation & efficiency, and looking for every opportunity to take business from the foreign competition. Then go to the voting booth and make smarter decisions. We need leaders who can redirect our efforts to causes greater than our individual self-gratification.
Many business-people from other countries will probably read this article. I wish them well, but I also wish that my country would wake up and give them a better run for their money. They’re only doing what we would do in their shoes. Frankly, I think they wish we’d wake up too. After all: If we can’t save & invest, and generate true value in our businesses, we can’t retain the wealth that makes us good customers.
To quote the immortal words of Dennis Miller: “It’s just my opinion, I could be wrong”.
What’s your opinion?
Speak up and be counted!
We need to change the way we think and act.
In order to understand where the U.S. is now economically, it helps to go back and review our history:
We started off as an agrarian society, with small cottage industries springing up here & there. Our cottage industries got a jump-start after the Revolutionary War when the British cut us off from many of their manufactured goods, out of spite, and we had to develop domestic supply-sources.
We then progressed through our industrial revolution, which was fed by a plentiful supply of natural resources and immigrant labor; plus technology bought or ”borrowed” from the British.
Our industrial revolution was prolonged and intensified by the supply demands of the Civil War.
Along came World Wars I & II, and the post-war reconstruction of Europe via the Marshall Plan: putting our industrial-capacity on “steroids” and promoting innovation.
At this point we were the economic “masters of the world”; and just about any citizen could start a business & succeed, often despite themselves, because of the massive global demand.
After the post-war reconstruction, other developing nations started progressing through their own industrial revolutions; taking away traditional U.S. industries and generating intense competition.
We’re now at a point where our few remaining manufacturing activities are under threat, and we’ve been reduced to a largely technology & service-provider role. Our technological strength, which ramped up during WWII and has stayed strong since, helped us maintain an edge. But other countries have now progressed to the point where they are doing the long-term basic research which is slowly chipping away at our technology lead.
In order to survive, many of our corporations have gone global; outplacing production and labor offshore.
Recent events in our previously world-dominant financial industry have left open questions about their future influence on global economics.
Our dollar, which has served as the world’s reserve currency since the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971, is under fire and waning in influence. The Fed & Treasury are creating massive dollar inflation to combat economic deflation; we have yet to deal with the ugly after-effects.
Our government has displayed gross ineptness in dealing with domestic affairs, let alone global ones. Massive debt is building that may take generations to dissipate. The Social Security mess hangs over everyone’s heads; and no one in government wants to deal with it.
Our natural resources are going offshore to feed other nations’ industries, and we have become a consumer society; serving as the world’s primary marketplace - however even that status is starting to wane as our societal wealth dissipates.
Our savings-rate has declined to near-zero; as a result, core-investment is declining.
We do a mediocre job of educating our youth and preparing them for adulthood.
So where does that leave us going forward?
In case you think we’re in for major realignment; we’ve already been doing it for decades - with global competition, and lack of response on our part, forcing fundamental changes across our economy. The trend will continue and intensify as China & India progress through their industrial development.
I think America is still in shock and hasn’t come to grips with the situation. We’re still trying to live and conduct business as if we’re in the post-WWII halcyon era.
What can we as individuals and a society do about it?
Our budding entrepreneurs are leading the way and providing the model. Just to get up & running and survive they must identify niche opportunities, and operate lean & mean. They must keep a good eye on the competition, and find ways to steal market-share. They forever seek ways to keep our bloated, unfocused government out of their affairs and their pockets. They’re reaching offshore and taking risks to pursue new opportunities. They’re developing new technologies, and leaner business models.
I’m not sure what will happen concerning our government. We have the government that we chose. Year after year we go to the voting booths; and what we have now is the result of our cumulative decisions as a nation. All I can offer to America is - “Wake up and smell the coffee”. If you don’t like the results, change them! Now! Please!
These days the news surrounding the auto industry encourages us to point our collective fingers and criticize. But ask yourself - Do you run your personal affairs any more efficiently? Most Americans spend more than they take in. Our national wealth is collecting into fewer & fewer hands. We elected the governments that have for decades created so much waste & inefficiency with our hard-earned dollars. We buy… and buy… and buy… while our savings accounts are collecting moths. We’ve transitioned from being a conservative, collaborative post-war society to a liberal Me, Me, Me… I, I, I - focused culture.
If you want to make a difference in our society, start by changing your personal habits. Then go apply good habits everywhere you can at work; saving money, promoting innovation & efficiency, and looking for every opportunity to take business from the foreign competition. Then go to the voting booth and make smarter decisions. We need leaders who can redirect our efforts to causes greater than our individual self-gratification.
Many business-people from other countries will probably read this article. I wish them well, but I also wish that my country would wake up and give them a better run for their money. They’re only doing what we would do in their shoes. Frankly, I think they wish we’d wake up too. After all: If we can’t save & invest, and generate true value in our businesses, we can’t retain the wealth that makes us good customers.
To quote the immortal words of Dennis Miller: “It’s just my opinion, I could be wrong”.
What’s your opinion?
Speak up and be counted!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Advice for New Grads from Career Coach, Kay Stout
As a career coach, here are suggestions I give recent grads.
1) Select 4 geographic areas you will work (ie Houston, LA, Boston, Oklahoma City)
2) Join your college alumni group and your social fraternity group. Research groups for shared interests/professions. Send email through college system to the identified individuals.
3) Find those groups on Linked In - - and join. Also be sure your LI Profile accurately highlights your core skills as well as you education.
4) Get connected to people within the LI Groups with which you have an additional connection, ie where they live, where they work or where they have worked in the past.
5) Build your network
Please leave comments for me if you would like a personal answer.
Kay Stout, Coach
Kay Stout, author of: http://anotherpointofview.typepad.com - - brings more than 20 years of career coaching to the internet. Her experience includes Right Management Consultants and host of "Your Career Connection" on Clear Channel's KTOK. She is recognized for her concise, to-the-point advice that helps professionals move their careers forward.
1) Select 4 geographic areas you will work (ie Houston, LA, Boston, Oklahoma City)
2) Join your college alumni group and your social fraternity group. Research groups for shared interests/professions. Send email through college system to the identified individuals.
3) Find those groups on Linked In - - and join. Also be sure your LI Profile accurately highlights your core skills as well as you education.
4) Get connected to people within the LI Groups with which you have an additional connection, ie where they live, where they work or where they have worked in the past.
5) Build your network
Please leave comments for me if you would like a personal answer.
Kay Stout, Coach
Kay Stout, author of: http://anotherpointofview.typepad.com - - brings more than 20 years of career coaching to the internet. Her experience includes Right Management Consultants and host of "Your Career Connection" on Clear Channel's KTOK. She is recognized for her concise, to-the-point advice that helps professionals move their careers forward.
Middle Eastern JOB Journal, One Woman's Journey of 2009
THE MIDDLE Eastern JOB JOURNAL of Sally S*
My name is Sally and I live in Kuwait with my husband who was born near by. I am an American and plan to stay here as my husband builds his career. I would like to build mine too.
Over the next few posts, I'll tell you more of my story.
It has been an exciting journey and I am eager to apply my accounting skills in a highly productive business environment. This is a week which I have enthusiasm for my chances.
Now that I have been here in Kuwait for a year I feel like I am beginning to know the lay of the land. As an accountant, I know that my skills are in demand and that my chances of getting hired are better than a local single woman.
This sure isn't KANSAS! There are some big differences here and the first thing I see is that women really are in a different class than men here. I rarely see executive women. (like never!!)
All resumes require photos and disclosure of Marital Status.
This sure isn't KANSAS! There are some big differences here and the first thing I see is that women really are in a different class than men here. I rarely see executive women. (like never!!)
All resumes require photos and disclosure of Marital Status.
There is a big line drawn for opportunities for Women.
From what I have heard about working in the Gulf Region from Americans who are in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and other Gulf countries is that the corporate culture in Gulf countries is more productive than allot of offices in America.
Many companies in the Middle East and Gulf Region would hire a married female, especially American, before they will a single female as the region has a divided line between male and female. In Saudi Arabia, many of the high level positions in a company are for males, not females. Some jobs that are advertised in newspapers and websites such as http://www.bayt.com/, are gender specific.
The protocol for sending a resume here in the Middle East is that you must affix your picture along with details such as your nationality and marital status. This is not the norm in the USA.
More of Sally's JOB Journal inthe coming weeks.
*Sally S. is a real person however this is not her real name. In order to protect her identity and
Enable her to share her true thoughts we have changed her name.
*Sally S. is a real person however this is not her real name. In order to protect her identity and
Enable her to share her true thoughts we have changed her name.
Kuwait
(thank you Wikipedia)Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. Kuwait is the only country in the world which has no natural lake or water reservoir.[30] There is little difference in the country's altitude with the highest point in the country being 306 m above sea-level.[7] It has nine islands, all of which with the exception of Failaka Island are uninhabited.[31] With an area of 860 km², the Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380 m long bridge.[32] Sparse vegetation is found along its 499 km long coastline.[7] Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor.
The land area is considered arable.[7] Kuwait has some of the world's richest oil fields with the Burgan field having a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (1.1×1010 m3) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwait oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km².[33] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[20] The oil spills during the Gulf war also had drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.
The land area is considered arable.[7] Kuwait has some of the world's richest oil fields with the Burgan field having a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (1.1×1010 m3) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwait oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km².[33] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[20] The oil spills during the Gulf war also had drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
BioSciences is Growing Exponentially Fredric Abramson on Leadership
Dr. Fredric Abramson
CEO & Educator on Leadership
We Asked Dr. Abramson about TRUE Leadership
I'm struck by what I see as confusion between an individual taking action and someone taking action AND pointing the way for others.
A leader is out in front. A leader knows that bullets come from two directions: in front and from the back.
A leader realizes it is not about him/her but about the ability and opportunity to get others to act in a coherent, cohesive action.
A leader sees chaos and finds paths to sanity.
A leader is in the middle of playing the game, and doesn't ask anyone to do what he/she wouldn't do.A leader sees "a" future, commits to move towards that future, and works to enlist others to join him/her in reaching that future.
A leader knows that perfection is an illusion, and adjusts as the world changes.
A leader realizes that competition can do things better, and that beating the competition is to be even better. A leader doesn't have to con people with platitudes and clever sayings.
Just some personal thoughts. I agree that we have to retake control of our country.
I also believe we have to retake control of our own lives.
Do you really believe that other people know what's best for you?
If you don't, why do you follow their advice blindly?
About Fredric Abramson PhD., S.M., Esq.
Founder and CEO of Alpha Genics
AlphaGenics was formed to commercialize genomics science with scientifically-based products aimed at the consumer lifestyle market. Consumer lifestyle includes physical appearance, mental performance, dating, and identity security. We leverage the extraordinary technological advances taking place in biotechnology, computers and telecommunications that now enable businesses to develop and deliver focused, personalized products wrapped around a person’s normal genes.
His education includes University of Michigan (Ph.D., Human Genetics), MIT (Master of Science in Management; Alfred P. Sloan Fellow), University of Rochester (M.S. Biology), University of Pennsylvania (A.B. Mathematical Biology) and American University (J.D., 1987), and is admitted to the United States patent bar and the bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sage Advice from an old Cowboy
An Old Cowboy's Advice
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles. When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don't judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life.
Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Are YOU a True Leader? by Al Walsh
Are You a True Leader, or Just An Acronym-Tosser?
Getting with the Program. Don't Stick you head in the sand!
There are many good business tools in use today for growing and improving businesses:
ERP, Lean, TQM, WCM, Six-Sigma, JIT, ISO, etc.
Some have been around for a long time, and some are relatively new.
These tools all address goals that business people have been trying to achieve since time immemorial. The major difference now is that information technology has improved to the point where it’s possible to develop business intelligence and process control on a scale previously unthinkable.
These tools & practices are becoming commonplace in the business world.
If you think you’re immune, you’re probably in for a rude surprise; even if you’re a small company. Shrinkage of the “supply-chain” world is forcing companies at all levels to implement them. You might get by “under the radar” for awhile as a small business, but eventually your customers are probably going to force your compliance if you want to keep their business. Likewise, you will be forced to impose these conditions on your vendors. Anyway, why you wouldn’t want to use every tool at hand to improve your business is beyond my comprehension. Certainly you want to use them wisely, and improper use can actually be destructive, but such investments can garner huge benefits.
So, that brings us to the question of what type of leader you are:
We’ve all experienced them - the people who throw acronyms around freely to impress, without having any comprehension of what they mean. Are you one of them?
We’ve also encountered those who summarily reject all such resources because they’re “too expensive” or “too complex for our business”, or for some other blanket reason.
I suppose there are also a few sheltered people out there who have no idea what I’m talking about (Good luck to you!).
Do you comprehend the myriad of good tools available to improve your business, or is your head firmly implanted in the sand?
If you’re behind the curve, it’s time to “wake up and smell the coffee”. Not only do you want to avoid getting caught napping by your customers, but you’re probably missing out on real fundamental opportunities. I’m a firm believer in exercising constraint in these matters. If you don’t really need a “fancier system”, or if things are working well and “don’t need fixin” - then by all means you should exercise caution. But what about tomorrow - How are you going to get your business to “that next level”?
If you’re just throwing acronyms around, you obviously are conscious on some level that these things have value. Isn’t it time to learn what they’re really about? I’d bet your competition knows. Most likely someone within your own company does, and is going to figure out what a phony you are; if they already haven’t.
If you’ve summarily dismissed all of these tools on some “intuitive grounds”, it’s time to take wake up and take a fresh look.
I mentioned in a previous blog that effective leadership involves taking a forward-looking posture; planning, setting goals, anticipating changes, and always looking for opportunities to grow the business & shine. There are tools & processes out there that are just “itching’ to help. It’s time to take a hard look at them.
For the sake of your business - for the sake of your career - become informed. Those businesses facing possible hard times in the current economy should especially be paying attention to tools that can make your company leaner and meaner. Your competition will!
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist".
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
Getting with the Program. Don't Stick you head in the sand!
There are many good business tools in use today for growing and improving businesses:
ERP, Lean, TQM, WCM, Six-Sigma, JIT, ISO, etc.
Some have been around for a long time, and some are relatively new.
These tools all address goals that business people have been trying to achieve since time immemorial. The major difference now is that information technology has improved to the point where it’s possible to develop business intelligence and process control on a scale previously unthinkable.
These tools & practices are becoming commonplace in the business world.
If you think you’re immune, you’re probably in for a rude surprise; even if you’re a small company. Shrinkage of the “supply-chain” world is forcing companies at all levels to implement them. You might get by “under the radar” for awhile as a small business, but eventually your customers are probably going to force your compliance if you want to keep their business. Likewise, you will be forced to impose these conditions on your vendors. Anyway, why you wouldn’t want to use every tool at hand to improve your business is beyond my comprehension. Certainly you want to use them wisely, and improper use can actually be destructive, but such investments can garner huge benefits.
So, that brings us to the question of what type of leader you are:
We’ve all experienced them - the people who throw acronyms around freely to impress, without having any comprehension of what they mean. Are you one of them?
We’ve also encountered those who summarily reject all such resources because they’re “too expensive” or “too complex for our business”, or for some other blanket reason.
I suppose there are also a few sheltered people out there who have no idea what I’m talking about (Good luck to you!).
Do you comprehend the myriad of good tools available to improve your business, or is your head firmly implanted in the sand?
If you’re behind the curve, it’s time to “wake up and smell the coffee”. Not only do you want to avoid getting caught napping by your customers, but you’re probably missing out on real fundamental opportunities. I’m a firm believer in exercising constraint in these matters. If you don’t really need a “fancier system”, or if things are working well and “don’t need fixin” - then by all means you should exercise caution. But what about tomorrow - How are you going to get your business to “that next level”?
If you’re just throwing acronyms around, you obviously are conscious on some level that these things have value. Isn’t it time to learn what they’re really about? I’d bet your competition knows. Most likely someone within your own company does, and is going to figure out what a phony you are; if they already haven’t.
If you’ve summarily dismissed all of these tools on some “intuitive grounds”, it’s time to take wake up and take a fresh look.
I mentioned in a previous blog that effective leadership involves taking a forward-looking posture; planning, setting goals, anticipating changes, and always looking for opportunities to grow the business & shine. There are tools & processes out there that are just “itching’ to help. It’s time to take a hard look at them.
For the sake of your business - for the sake of your career - become informed. Those businesses facing possible hard times in the current economy should especially be paying attention to tools that can make your company leaner and meaner. Your competition will!
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist".
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
A Message to Small Business Owners & Employers from Al Walsh
A Good Word for “Little Consultants”
Options to consider when seeking focused talent.
Consulting has it’s place in the world - “Get in, get the job done, get out!”
The street is awash with large consulting firms. They have their place, but be careful. I was invited a while back to interview with one of these biggies. What an eye-opener! All they cared about was who I knew in the business-world, and how I might parlay those contacts into business for them. They didn’t give a hoot what my business capabilities were. Not a single question about my expertise arose. When I didn’t throw them any big names, their interest faded rapidly. Keep that in mind the next time you’re contemplating using a “biggie” consultant.
Businesses, especially small ones, have a love/hate relationship with consultants. On the one hand, they would love to have focused assistance from time-to-time (assistance that they can utilize and then kick out when the job’s done). On the other hand, they cringe at the thought of paying the fees. The utilization of consultants basically comes down to a cost/benefit trade-off. It’s a circumstance- by- circumstance decision. Consultants are used when there’s a need to supplement internal talent. You small business people have the highest aversion, but you also have the greatest need. Small companies operate with lean teams, thus the knowledge-base is more limited. Small contributions by consultants can reap huge rewards. Your team can use a focused supplement from time to time. Wise use of consultants can be a huge boon.
Which brings me to the main theme of this blog. You have options! There are very capable people out there who are available at very reasonable and negotiable rates, and who provide high-quality work, but don’t get considered either because they aren’t in the “biggie” consulting firms or because they haven’t yet established street name-recognition; which is a laborious and slow process. They’re out there, they’re not hard to find in this electronic age, and very likely they’ve already approached you for work.
Most of these “little consultants” come out of the corporate world, where their prior focus was internal; taking care of business for their employers. They were doing what they were supposed to do; and now they can do the same for you.
If you want some focused help, and you’re having a panic-attack over the potential cost, you need to take the “little consultants” into consideration.
They’re hungry, and they’re highly-motivated to please. If you make a reasonable offer (don’t be too greedy), they’ll “jump through hoops of fire” for you. They’ll want to use you as a reference when they’re done - so they’ll do everything within their power to satisfy you. I’ve known a number of these people over the years. They’re quiet, competent, capable folks who are focused on providing quality service. Unless you’re hiring a sales consultant, do you really want one who’s main focus is on selling?
Most business people with any experience can sniff out a “BS-er” pretty quickly, so interview your consulting candidate and feel them out. You’ll be able to tell pretty quickly whether or not they know their stuff.
Your aversion to consultants will change once you tap the “hidden” talent that’s out there. Give the “little consultants” a chance.
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist"
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
Options to consider when seeking focused talent.
Consulting has it’s place in the world - “Get in, get the job done, get out!”
The street is awash with large consulting firms. They have their place, but be careful. I was invited a while back to interview with one of these biggies. What an eye-opener! All they cared about was who I knew in the business-world, and how I might parlay those contacts into business for them. They didn’t give a hoot what my business capabilities were. Not a single question about my expertise arose. When I didn’t throw them any big names, their interest faded rapidly. Keep that in mind the next time you’re contemplating using a “biggie” consultant.
Businesses, especially small ones, have a love/hate relationship with consultants. On the one hand, they would love to have focused assistance from time-to-time (assistance that they can utilize and then kick out when the job’s done). On the other hand, they cringe at the thought of paying the fees. The utilization of consultants basically comes down to a cost/benefit trade-off. It’s a circumstance- by- circumstance decision. Consultants are used when there’s a need to supplement internal talent. You small business people have the highest aversion, but you also have the greatest need. Small companies operate with lean teams, thus the knowledge-base is more limited. Small contributions by consultants can reap huge rewards. Your team can use a focused supplement from time to time. Wise use of consultants can be a huge boon.
Which brings me to the main theme of this blog. You have options! There are very capable people out there who are available at very reasonable and negotiable rates, and who provide high-quality work, but don’t get considered either because they aren’t in the “biggie” consulting firms or because they haven’t yet established street name-recognition; which is a laborious and slow process. They’re out there, they’re not hard to find in this electronic age, and very likely they’ve already approached you for work.
Most of these “little consultants” come out of the corporate world, where their prior focus was internal; taking care of business for their employers. They were doing what they were supposed to do; and now they can do the same for you.
If you want some focused help, and you’re having a panic-attack over the potential cost, you need to take the “little consultants” into consideration.
They’re hungry, and they’re highly-motivated to please. If you make a reasonable offer (don’t be too greedy), they’ll “jump through hoops of fire” for you. They’ll want to use you as a reference when they’re done - so they’ll do everything within their power to satisfy you. I’ve known a number of these people over the years. They’re quiet, competent, capable folks who are focused on providing quality service. Unless you’re hiring a sales consultant, do you really want one who’s main focus is on selling?
Most business people with any experience can sniff out a “BS-er” pretty quickly, so interview your consulting candidate and feel them out. You’ll be able to tell pretty quickly whether or not they know their stuff.
Your aversion to consultants will change once you tap the “hidden” talent that’s out there. Give the “little consultants” a chance.
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist"
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Al Walsh on Are YOU a True Leader?
Managing Hard Times
Thoughts for corporate executives on managing change.
If you’ve been properly managing your area of responsibility, whether it be Departmental or Corporate-wide, there shouldn’t be any major surprises for you, and you should be able to weather change effectively.
Regardless of your station in the corporate pecking-order, you should have been maintaining your own Strategic & Operational plans, and adjusting them to circumstances. People who exercise this discipline rigorously are seldom surprised, and usually have contingency plans developed for anticipated new developments. There are usually signs that change is in the wind, if you’re paying attention.
If you’re not doing this, or something fundamentally similar, I suggest that you START IMMEDIATELY; before it’s too late.
A key factor of quality management is a forward-looking posture; always anticipating what’s ahead and thinking about how you will adjust - just as you should be looking ahead regarding employee development - and to succession-planning in the event that you are promoted. People who exercise this discipline are better-prepared to deal with change; even on those rare occasions when it comes by surprise.
▪ Take stock of your talent and think about what you will do if a down-sizing occurs. Don’t wait for your boss to give you the bad news before you develop your plan. If you’ve got a marginal performer you’ve been tolerating, it’s time for them to go. Could you get by with fewer employees, or a leaner budget?
▪ If you see financial pressures building, think about what you can do NOW to cut expenses in your area of responsibility. Don’t wait for someone to pass an edict down.
▪ Go back to your last capital budget and review how you might implement less-costly alternatives, or temporarily shelve the parts that haven’t been implemented yet.
▪ If staff-cuts are possible, and cross-training needs to be done between targeted employees & those who would remain, start it NOW.
These are just a few of the ideas you can enact, but the operative words are THINK! and NOW!
When the down-sizing occurs, will you be perceived as a true leader or just another follower?
Your own job may hang in the balance. Get a leg up while you still can, and make it a permanent part of your leadership discipline. Operate lean, mean, and aware!
Good Luck!
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist"
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
Thoughts for corporate executives on managing change.
If you’ve been properly managing your area of responsibility, whether it be Departmental or Corporate-wide, there shouldn’t be any major surprises for you, and you should be able to weather change effectively.
Regardless of your station in the corporate pecking-order, you should have been maintaining your own Strategic & Operational plans, and adjusting them to circumstances. People who exercise this discipline rigorously are seldom surprised, and usually have contingency plans developed for anticipated new developments. There are usually signs that change is in the wind, if you’re paying attention.
If you’re not doing this, or something fundamentally similar, I suggest that you START IMMEDIATELY; before it’s too late.
A key factor of quality management is a forward-looking posture; always anticipating what’s ahead and thinking about how you will adjust - just as you should be looking ahead regarding employee development - and to succession-planning in the event that you are promoted. People who exercise this discipline are better-prepared to deal with change; even on those rare occasions when it comes by surprise.
▪ Take stock of your talent and think about what you will do if a down-sizing occurs. Don’t wait for your boss to give you the bad news before you develop your plan. If you’ve got a marginal performer you’ve been tolerating, it’s time for them to go. Could you get by with fewer employees, or a leaner budget?
▪ If you see financial pressures building, think about what you can do NOW to cut expenses in your area of responsibility. Don’t wait for someone to pass an edict down.
▪ Go back to your last capital budget and review how you might implement less-costly alternatives, or temporarily shelve the parts that haven’t been implemented yet.
▪ If staff-cuts are possible, and cross-training needs to be done between targeted employees & those who would remain, start it NOW.
These are just a few of the ideas you can enact, but the operative words are THINK! and NOW!
When the down-sizing occurs, will you be perceived as a true leader or just another follower?
Your own job may hang in the balance. Get a leg up while you still can, and make it a permanent part of your leadership discipline. Operate lean, mean, and aware!
Good Luck!
Al Walsh is a Los Angeles area "Unrepentant Capitalist"
CAREER ROLES:~ CEO - V.P. - CFO - COO - Entrepreneur~ Executive Committee & Board Member~ Partner and Advisor to CEO's, COO's & Boards~ Multi-Disciplined Consultant & Contractor
Robyn Moreno on 5 Ways to ROCK Your Career
5 Ways to Rock Your Career
From getting a promotion to going for your dream job, tips for getting the most from your career.
Americans spend almost two thirds of their lives working, but according to a poll by SnagAJob.com, 40 percent of employees are dissatisfied with their jobs.
To help you get some fulfillment from the workplace, we reached out to several of today's top career experts for some on-the-job advice. Here, we share with you their top five tips for getting the most out of the daily grind.
Find out what's making you miserable
If you can figure out exactly why you're unhappy, it will be easier to make a change for the better, says life and career coach Meredith Haberfeld (meredithhaberfeld.com).
To get to the heart of the matter, write down specific examples of things you dislike about your current job, whether it's not earning enough money, working late hours or having an unappreciative boss. Once you pinpoint what's frustrating you, it'll be easier to take action to improve the situation, such as asking for a raise or negotiating to leave earlier to spend more time with your family. "Homing in on what you don't like about your job makes it easier to ask for what you want," says Haberfeld.
Speak up to get a promotion
"Women tend to minimize their work triumphs, which impacts their ability to move ahead," says Caitlin Friedman, coauthor of The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch). It's perfectly acceptable to toot your own horn once in a while, especially if your accomplishments are valuable to the company. To avoid seeming obnoxious about your endeavors, send your boss a note thanking her for placing confidence in your ability to handle your latest project, and let her know how happy you are that it yielded such success. Friedman also recommends making yourself invaluable to your boss in practical ways; for example, if your boss is unable to even go near a computer without asking for assistance, why not brush up on new technologies and implement new policies that streamline office procedures? "A good rule of thumb is that you're ready to be promoted when you've already mastered the job above you," says Friedman.
Ask for a raise
What's the secret to getting your next pay bump? Being proactive. According to the book Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, women who consistently negotiate their salaries earn at least $1 million more during their careers than women who don't. But before you march into your boss's office, first ask yourself if your company is in good enough financial shape to give you a raise, and consider whether it's been a reasonable amount of time since you received your last raise. If you answer yes to both of those questions, it's fine to proceed. Remember to be specific when making your case to your boss. Carmen Letscher, a public relations executive in Los Angeles, says employees who ask for exactly what they want in terms of title, position, salary and vacation time are greeted much more favorably than employees who only use the time to complain about their lousy position or salary.
Get the most out of your employee benefits
In addition to giving promotions and raises, many companies offer employees other perks to help make their jobs feel more worthwhile. Look over your employee benefits handbook to learn what's available to you. Some companies offer on-site gyms or child care centers, while others offer some sort of tuition reimbursement. In addition to bigger incentives like these, you might be able to enjoy some smaller benefits, such as discounted admission to museums and other forms of entertainment, like the ballet or opera. Finally, be sure to sign up for your company's 401(k) plan. Surveys show that one third of all workers do not participate in their employer's 401(k), while 20 percent don't contribute enough to get the full employer match. Not having your 401(k) contributions matched by an employer is essentially giving up free money-something you definitely want to avoid.
Go after your dream job
The first step in achieving your dream job is to visualize what your dream job is, says Haberfeld. From there, it will be much easier to realistically set the goals that will take you there. For instance, if you determine your dream is to open your own bakery, your next steps-from scouting a location to securing a loan-will become much clearer. Ladies Who Launch is one great resource for fledgling business owners. The group offers networking events and meetings around the country that connect you with women who have similar interests and will teach you about financing your particular dream. Sign up for their "Incubator" program, and you'll meet with other inspired women on a weekly basis and workshop one another's ideas, giving feedback on everything from a business name to marketing strategies. Visit ladieswholaunch.com for a workshop or chapter near you.
From getting a promotion to going for your dream job, tips for getting the most from your career.
Americans spend almost two thirds of their lives working, but according to a poll by SnagAJob.com, 40 percent of employees are dissatisfied with their jobs.
To help you get some fulfillment from the workplace, we reached out to several of today's top career experts for some on-the-job advice. Here, we share with you their top five tips for getting the most out of the daily grind.
Find out what's making you miserable
If you can figure out exactly why you're unhappy, it will be easier to make a change for the better, says life and career coach Meredith Haberfeld (meredithhaberfeld.com).
To get to the heart of the matter, write down specific examples of things you dislike about your current job, whether it's not earning enough money, working late hours or having an unappreciative boss. Once you pinpoint what's frustrating you, it'll be easier to take action to improve the situation, such as asking for a raise or negotiating to leave earlier to spend more time with your family. "Homing in on what you don't like about your job makes it easier to ask for what you want," says Haberfeld.
Speak up to get a promotion
"Women tend to minimize their work triumphs, which impacts their ability to move ahead," says Caitlin Friedman, coauthor of The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch). It's perfectly acceptable to toot your own horn once in a while, especially if your accomplishments are valuable to the company. To avoid seeming obnoxious about your endeavors, send your boss a note thanking her for placing confidence in your ability to handle your latest project, and let her know how happy you are that it yielded such success. Friedman also recommends making yourself invaluable to your boss in practical ways; for example, if your boss is unable to even go near a computer without asking for assistance, why not brush up on new technologies and implement new policies that streamline office procedures? "A good rule of thumb is that you're ready to be promoted when you've already mastered the job above you," says Friedman.
Ask for a raise
What's the secret to getting your next pay bump? Being proactive. According to the book Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, women who consistently negotiate their salaries earn at least $1 million more during their careers than women who don't. But before you march into your boss's office, first ask yourself if your company is in good enough financial shape to give you a raise, and consider whether it's been a reasonable amount of time since you received your last raise. If you answer yes to both of those questions, it's fine to proceed. Remember to be specific when making your case to your boss. Carmen Letscher, a public relations executive in Los Angeles, says employees who ask for exactly what they want in terms of title, position, salary and vacation time are greeted much more favorably than employees who only use the time to complain about their lousy position or salary.
Get the most out of your employee benefits
In addition to giving promotions and raises, many companies offer employees other perks to help make their jobs feel more worthwhile. Look over your employee benefits handbook to learn what's available to you. Some companies offer on-site gyms or child care centers, while others offer some sort of tuition reimbursement. In addition to bigger incentives like these, you might be able to enjoy some smaller benefits, such as discounted admission to museums and other forms of entertainment, like the ballet or opera. Finally, be sure to sign up for your company's 401(k) plan. Surveys show that one third of all workers do not participate in their employer's 401(k), while 20 percent don't contribute enough to get the full employer match. Not having your 401(k) contributions matched by an employer is essentially giving up free money-something you definitely want to avoid.
Go after your dream job
The first step in achieving your dream job is to visualize what your dream job is, says Haberfeld. From there, it will be much easier to realistically set the goals that will take you there. For instance, if you determine your dream is to open your own bakery, your next steps-from scouting a location to securing a loan-will become much clearer. Ladies Who Launch is one great resource for fledgling business owners. The group offers networking events and meetings around the country that connect you with women who have similar interests and will teach you about financing your particular dream. Sign up for their "Incubator" program, and you'll meet with other inspired women on a weekly basis and workshop one another's ideas, giving feedback on everything from a business name to marketing strategies. Visit ladieswholaunch.com for a workshop or chapter near you.
How to Keep Your Job In Hard Times by Carl Winfield
Work your tail off," keep a high profile, and find a mentor, veteran job coaches say
By Carl Winfield
These are uncertain times for the U.S. labor market. Companies such as Merrill Lynch, Sony ( and Alcatel-Lucent, which have either posted losses or greatly diminished profits, are cutting staff as financial pressures mount.
And while the U.S. unemployment rate has held steady at 5.5% for the last two months, there are no guarantees that workers—especially those between ages 50 and 60—will be able to avoid further cutbacks.
This does not mean older employees should start looking for positions at the local Wal-Mart or the neighborhood car wash. Many have experience and knowledge they can leverage to keep their jobs. But with staffing budgets increasingly under scrutiny, it may pay to be proactive. The first and most important move workers should make: Look for new experiences with their current employer.
"People like to do what they're good at," says Melaine Kusin, vice-chairman at Heidrick & Struggles ( HSII ). "But it's just as important to volunteer for special projects and develop skills that can be applied to other parts of the business."
"Be Visible"
Employees can raise their profiles when they make the effort to join special committees or even help organize a companywide social engagement. "Conventional wisdom may say that you should keep your head down, especially during an economic downturn" says Meredith Haberfeld , an executive coach in New York whose clients include Credit Suisse ( CS ) and JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ). "But my suggestion is that you work your tail off to be visible about the results you're producing." Haberfeld also suggests executives toot their own horns.
But other consultants, such as New York-based Dale Kurow, advise executives to be careful about what they say in the workplace. "You want to be the 'squeaky wheel' in the sense that you're proactive," Kurow says. "But if you complain, you're probably going to be the first one out the door."
Becoming the life of the party may be a good way to call attention to yourself but, once all eyes are on you, workers have to put up or get shut out. The best way for executives to keep their jobs or move to the next level is to develop an understanding of the whole business, rather than the part that relates only to them.
"You need to take the lid off your thinking and take a look at how what you do relates to the rest of the business," says Kurow. "If you don't know how your part in the business is connected to the others, chances are you're not going very far."
Cultivate a Mentor
Workers who are more engaged with the day-to-day operations at their companies have a distinct advantage over those clock-punchers who focus solely on the tasks in their job descriptions. But staying in a job is also about building relationships. While it's advisable to work well with your peers, it never hurts to develop a close relationship with a mentor, particularly with someone higher up who can help keep you out of harm's way when the axman cometh.
"Partner with the CEO," says Ana Dutra , CEO of the Leadership Development Solutions group for Korn/Ferry International ( KFY ), "and with the corporate leadership."
The job market is getting tougher to negotiate for workers in all age groups. But according to coaches like Haberfeld , you can keep your job as long as you don't mind maintaining a high profile. Establishing yourself as a leader could make the difference between moving up or being moved out.
"The main element in your career plan has to change from doing what you have to do to impress your superiors to doing what you have to do to impress yourself," says Haberfeld
By Carl Winfield
These are uncertain times for the U.S. labor market. Companies such as Merrill Lynch, Sony ( and Alcatel-Lucent, which have either posted losses or greatly diminished profits, are cutting staff as financial pressures mount.
And while the U.S. unemployment rate has held steady at 5.5% for the last two months, there are no guarantees that workers—especially those between ages 50 and 60—will be able to avoid further cutbacks.
This does not mean older employees should start looking for positions at the local Wal-Mart or the neighborhood car wash. Many have experience and knowledge they can leverage to keep their jobs. But with staffing budgets increasingly under scrutiny, it may pay to be proactive. The first and most important move workers should make: Look for new experiences with their current employer.
"People like to do what they're good at," says Melaine Kusin, vice-chairman at Heidrick & Struggles ( HSII ). "But it's just as important to volunteer for special projects and develop skills that can be applied to other parts of the business."
"Be Visible"
Employees can raise their profiles when they make the effort to join special committees or even help organize a companywide social engagement. "Conventional wisdom may say that you should keep your head down, especially during an economic downturn" says Meredith Haberfeld , an executive coach in New York whose clients include Credit Suisse ( CS ) and JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ). "But my suggestion is that you work your tail off to be visible about the results you're producing." Haberfeld also suggests executives toot their own horns.
But other consultants, such as New York-based Dale Kurow, advise executives to be careful about what they say in the workplace. "You want to be the 'squeaky wheel' in the sense that you're proactive," Kurow says. "But if you complain, you're probably going to be the first one out the door."
Becoming the life of the party may be a good way to call attention to yourself but, once all eyes are on you, workers have to put up or get shut out. The best way for executives to keep their jobs or move to the next level is to develop an understanding of the whole business, rather than the part that relates only to them.
"You need to take the lid off your thinking and take a look at how what you do relates to the rest of the business," says Kurow. "If you don't know how your part in the business is connected to the others, chances are you're not going very far."
Cultivate a Mentor
Workers who are more engaged with the day-to-day operations at their companies have a distinct advantage over those clock-punchers who focus solely on the tasks in their job descriptions. But staying in a job is also about building relationships. While it's advisable to work well with your peers, it never hurts to develop a close relationship with a mentor, particularly with someone higher up who can help keep you out of harm's way when the axman cometh.
"Partner with the CEO," says Ana Dutra , CEO of the Leadership Development Solutions group for Korn/Ferry International ( KFY ), "and with the corporate leadership."
The job market is getting tougher to negotiate for workers in all age groups. But according to coaches like Haberfeld , you can keep your job as long as you don't mind maintaining a high profile. Establishing yourself as a leader could make the difference between moving up or being moved out.
"The main element in your career plan has to change from doing what you have to do to impress your superiors to doing what you have to do to impress yourself," says Haberfeld
Dreams for 2009 by Keith A. Shaw
Be careful of what you dream in 2009
“Because it may come true”
My high-school football coach, Coach “Pic” would tell us this every day in his motivational speech as we prepared for the upcoming game. His goal was to get each of us to create a mental picture of what we wanted to do – individually and as a team.
So, here are three strategies that I have used successfully and that you can utilize to achieve your dreams as well…
Number 1 – Write your dreams down on paper.
There are numerous studies that prove the value of writing down and keeping track of your thoughts and goals. A study sponsored by the Ford Foundation found that:
- 23% of the population has no idea what they want from life, and as a result, they do not have much.
- 67% of the population has a general idea of what they want, but they do not have any plans for how to get it.
- Only 10% of the population has specific, well-defined goals, but even then, seven out of the ten of those people reach their goals only half the time.
- The top 3%, however, achieved their goals 89% of the time.
What accounted for the dramatic difference between the top 3% and the others? The top 3% wrote down their goals, their dreams, their THOUGHTS. Simply put, dreams are not goals until they are written on paper. They become a road map for you to follow.
Number 2 - “Pre-set” your mental state for the next day before you head off to bed.
Here’s my secret. Before my head hits the pillow, I spend about five to ten minutes in quiet reflection and thought as to what I want my next day to be like. I think about the things that I want to achieve, such as a financial goal, spiritual strength, courage or other goals, and let my subconscious “dream-mind” work on these while I sleep. I have learned from experience that this strategy not only works in the short term to solve an immediate problem, but also helps me to come up with solutions to achieve a longer-term goal.
Number 3 – Review your list of dreams and do not be discouraged when you are “off course”.
When you focus your mind on your dreams and goals, you centralize your attention, just like you focus a camera lens on the subject of your photograph. Be sure to monitor and check yourself from time to time. People who do not follow the practice of honest, self evaluation can never identify when they are getting off course.
For example, before an airplane takes off and flies from one city to another, the crew maps out a flight path. Along the way, they must account for headwinds, tailwinds, turbulence, weather issues and more that cause the plane to drift off course. Now, do the pilots panic? No! They read and analyze the plane’s telemetry and systematically make the adjustments needed to get the passengers to the destination. Systematic and ongoing self evaluation will allow you to do the same by reading your “telemetry” and keeping you on your “flight plan” so that you successfully reach your destination.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.
Design the future of your dreams in 2009. And be careful, they may come true!
–
Keith A. Shaw is the author and creator of “The Power Of Thought”, and “The Power Of Concentration” Motivation and Success Systems, along with “The Power Of Serenity And Peace” Spirituality and Happiness System. Visit his website www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com.
“Because it may come true”
My high-school football coach, Coach “Pic” would tell us this every day in his motivational speech as we prepared for the upcoming game. His goal was to get each of us to create a mental picture of what we wanted to do – individually and as a team.
So, here are three strategies that I have used successfully and that you can utilize to achieve your dreams as well…
Number 1 – Write your dreams down on paper.
There are numerous studies that prove the value of writing down and keeping track of your thoughts and goals. A study sponsored by the Ford Foundation found that:
- 23% of the population has no idea what they want from life, and as a result, they do not have much.
- 67% of the population has a general idea of what they want, but they do not have any plans for how to get it.
- Only 10% of the population has specific, well-defined goals, but even then, seven out of the ten of those people reach their goals only half the time.
- The top 3%, however, achieved their goals 89% of the time.
What accounted for the dramatic difference between the top 3% and the others? The top 3% wrote down their goals, their dreams, their THOUGHTS. Simply put, dreams are not goals until they are written on paper. They become a road map for you to follow.
Number 2 - “Pre-set” your mental state for the next day before you head off to bed.
Here’s my secret. Before my head hits the pillow, I spend about five to ten minutes in quiet reflection and thought as to what I want my next day to be like. I think about the things that I want to achieve, such as a financial goal, spiritual strength, courage or other goals, and let my subconscious “dream-mind” work on these while I sleep. I have learned from experience that this strategy not only works in the short term to solve an immediate problem, but also helps me to come up with solutions to achieve a longer-term goal.
Number 3 – Review your list of dreams and do not be discouraged when you are “off course”.
When you focus your mind on your dreams and goals, you centralize your attention, just like you focus a camera lens on the subject of your photograph. Be sure to monitor and check yourself from time to time. People who do not follow the practice of honest, self evaluation can never identify when they are getting off course.
For example, before an airplane takes off and flies from one city to another, the crew maps out a flight path. Along the way, they must account for headwinds, tailwinds, turbulence, weather issues and more that cause the plane to drift off course. Now, do the pilots panic? No! They read and analyze the plane’s telemetry and systematically make the adjustments needed to get the passengers to the destination. Systematic and ongoing self evaluation will allow you to do the same by reading your “telemetry” and keeping you on your “flight plan” so that you successfully reach your destination.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.
Design the future of your dreams in 2009. And be careful, they may come true!
–
Keith A. Shaw is the author and creator of “The Power Of Thought”, and “The Power Of Concentration” Motivation and Success Systems, along with “The Power Of Serenity And Peace” Spirituality and Happiness System. Visit his website www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com.
Anand Subramaniam Suggests Creativity and Radical Product Innovation in 2009
When, where, why etc and finally how does a firm manage new product development, innovation, create blue ocean strategies and ensure success from the whole process.. well it depends !!.
At present, I am consulting for an organisation in Asia and here is the framework / roadmap I am using.
1. Organizing for product development (PD)
2. Knowledge Management in PD
3. Product development strategy and performance
4. Leadership and creativity in PD
5. Creativity and Design Management and Business Performance
6. . Product development in a global context
7. Networks and alliances in PD
8. Radical product innovation
9. Product development process
10. Product development in services and software
11. Marketing, users and product development
12. Entrepreneurship and PD
At present, I am consulting for an organisation in Asia and here is the framework / roadmap I am using.
1. Organizing for product development (PD)
2. Knowledge Management in PD
3. Product development strategy and performance
4. Leadership and creativity in PD
5. Creativity and Design Management and Business Performance
6. . Product development in a global context
7. Networks and alliances in PD
8. Radical product innovation
9. Product development process
10. Product development in services and software
11. Marketing, users and product development
12. Entrepreneurship and PD
10 Ways to Foster Innovation
More Resources from Idea Village www.Ideavillage.org
The economy might be slowing, but now is not the time to stop innovating and let your competitors gain the upper hand. Here is how you can foster a culture of innovation in your business.
Times are dangerous. Many companies are thinking about cutting their costs, however this can also send a message that staff should maintain the status quo and that new ideas are not welcome.
The last recession taught smart companies a valuable lesson – while poorly-managed companies bunkered down in survival mode, innovative companies snuck up and took the hibernating companies’ market share.
Consumers, starved for new products and services that are cheaper, better and more exciting, supported these innovators. As the cycle turned, poorly-managed companies hit the mid 1990s with diminishing revenue and market share, and nothing in the product pipeline.
So as times get tough, it is imperative that companies foster a culture of innovation. But how? RMIT University recently studied 92 fast growing companies to look at how these entrepreneurs develop a sustainable culture of innovation.
Here are the top 10 ways they foster an innovative culture.
1. Vision and core business values sets the tone
2. Organizational culture is key
3. Take a team approach
4. Encourage open communication
5. Recruit and reward innovative people
6. Take a customer focus/orientation
7. Benchmark to encourage further innovation
8. Investing in and adopting state-of-the-art technology
9. Flat management structure
10. Involve others outside the business in their vision and innovation
The economy might be slowing, but now is not the time to stop innovating and let your competitors gain the upper hand. Here is how you can foster a culture of innovation in your business.
Times are dangerous. Many companies are thinking about cutting their costs, however this can also send a message that staff should maintain the status quo and that new ideas are not welcome.
The last recession taught smart companies a valuable lesson – while poorly-managed companies bunkered down in survival mode, innovative companies snuck up and took the hibernating companies’ market share.
Consumers, starved for new products and services that are cheaper, better and more exciting, supported these innovators. As the cycle turned, poorly-managed companies hit the mid 1990s with diminishing revenue and market share, and nothing in the product pipeline.
So as times get tough, it is imperative that companies foster a culture of innovation. But how? RMIT University recently studied 92 fast growing companies to look at how these entrepreneurs develop a sustainable culture of innovation.
Here are the top 10 ways they foster an innovative culture.
1. Vision and core business values sets the tone
2. Organizational culture is key
3. Take a team approach
4. Encourage open communication
5. Recruit and reward innovative people
6. Take a customer focus/orientation
7. Benchmark to encourage further innovation
8. Investing in and adopting state-of-the-art technology
9. Flat management structure
10. Involve others outside the business in their vision and innovation
Social Entrepreneurs Making a Big Difference, Look Into Idea Village.
Tim Williamson is president of Idea Village, an
independent nonprofit, which started in the last decade
with five entrepreneurs asking “how do we help
each other?”. It really moved into action after
Hurricane Katrina.
The group came up with a plan to do four things:
First, consult, offering strategic advice to help entrepreneurs
get through situations;
Second, identify resources, such as mentors and expertise;
Third, find capital, such as loans and venture capital; and
Fourth,provide therapy, helping entrepreneurs go through
the ups and downs of being in business.
Prior to Katrina, 1,000 entrepreneurs had come to the
group, and Idea Village had assessed more than 400.
Post-Katrina, Williamson said, it has been trench
warfare—there is no handbook, no guidance. If
you were able to come back as an entrepreneur, it
was the most incredible experience, and you did
what you did because you had to.
The Idea Village
decided they had to do four things: search and rescue,
triage funding, recovery, and rebuilding. They
began by searching for a database of entrepreneurs
because everyone was displaced.
independent nonprofit, which started in the last decade
with five entrepreneurs asking “how do we help
each other?”. It really moved into action after
Hurricane Katrina.
The group came up with a plan to do four things:
First, consult, offering strategic advice to help entrepreneurs
get through situations;
Second, identify resources, such as mentors and expertise;
Third, find capital, such as loans and venture capital; and
Fourth,provide therapy, helping entrepreneurs go through
the ups and downs of being in business.
Prior to Katrina, 1,000 entrepreneurs had come to the
group, and Idea Village had assessed more than 400.
Post-Katrina, Williamson said, it has been trench
warfare—there is no handbook, no guidance. If
you were able to come back as an entrepreneur, it
was the most incredible experience, and you did
what you did because you had to.
The Idea Village
decided they had to do four things: search and rescue,
triage funding, recovery, and rebuilding. They
began by searching for a database of entrepreneurs
because everyone was displaced.
Monday, December 29, 2008
New Year's Resolutions Tips by Dr. Adele
Advice for New Year’s Resolutions for more career satisfaction.
Tips from Dr Adele:
1. Write out what you hope to get to in a few years
2. Work backwards: to get there, what do you need to do
and who do you need to connect with this year?
What: skills, degrees, certificates,licenses, preparation
Who: associates, experts, colleagues, mentors,
3. What do you need to do/know in January?
4. Find a buddy and agree to talk everyday (5 minutes each
way) to tell progress and cheer each other on
NOBODY DOES IT ALONE
Tips from Dr Adele:
1. Write out what you hope to get to in a few years
2. Work backwards: to get there, what do you need to do
and who do you need to connect with this year?
What: skills, degrees, certificates,licenses, preparation
Who: associates, experts, colleagues, mentors,
3. What do you need to do/know in January?
4. Find a buddy and agree to talk everyday (5 minutes each
way) to tell progress and cheer each other on
NOBODY DOES IT ALONE
Friday, December 26, 2008
Internet Radio, Advice for Career Changers
http://www.webtalkradio.net/index.php/show-podcasts/67-success-made-simple-with-sharmen-lane/2556-week51
Please copy this address below and paste into your internet browser
and listen to Patty's PodCast "Success Made Simple" for Career Changers
with Sharm Lane
http://www.webtalkradio.net/index.php/show-podcasts/67-success-made-simple-with-sharmen-lane/2556-week51
Please copy this address below and paste into your internet browser
and listen to Patty's PodCast "Success Made Simple" for Career Changers
with Sharm Lane
http://www.webtalkradio.net/index.php/show-podcasts/67-success-made-simple-with-sharmen-lane/2556-week51
Share YOUR 2009 Goals and Tips for others
It was Conrad Hilton the founder of the world famous Hilton chain of hotels who said, “Success is made to order.” He was right – for an achievement is a sum total of many things – talent, aptitude, knowledge and desire. If we analyze each of our achievements we will soon discover that it all started with the goal that we wanted to achieve. Well-defined goals, tackled with competence and confidence through a proper plan of action are the building blocks of achievements. They are our escalators to tomorrow, a vehicle that takes you to success.
What are some of the important points to remember when you go about setting goals and planning for them?
1. Your goals should be “SMART”.
It is very important that your goals be:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timebound
2. What ever you do, put your whole mind to it.
In America, Swami Vivekananda saw some kids standing on a bridge, shooting eggshells floating in the lake. The children were always off the target. Swamiji took a gun, stood still for few minutes and then fired twelve shots. Each time it hit an eggshell, Swamiji turned around and told the awe-struck boys, “What ever you do put your whole mind into it. If you’re shooting, your mind should be on the target. If you’re learning, think only of the lesson.”
3. Be and act enthusiastic.
The worst bankrupt is the person who has lost enthusiasm. Let one lose everything but enthusiasm and that person will come through to success. Of course, there will be difficulties and obstacles. There are two possible attitudes to take at such a time. One is to let it discourage you, making you feel helpless and hopeless. That attitude is disastrous. The other way is to cultivate a positive attitude towards what you can do to solve the problem in the best manner possible.
4. Take effective decisions.
Most people have no idea how much stress they can create through indecision. If you are the kind of person who cannot decide between two courses of action, afraid that the course you choose might turn out to be a mistake, it is important to bear in mind that indecision is expensive and nearly always the worst mistake you can make.
Of course, some decisions require a great deal of thought and maybe some more information. But once all the facts are available, the successful individual will reach a decision and stop thinking about the various pros and cons, so that he can devote all his energy and effort to making the decision work.
5. Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is the greatest disease that afflicts mankind. Although the disease is wide spread, it is important that we do not ignore it. Successful people do not procrastinate especially in matters they know are important to them. Someone has rightly said, “People don’t fail because they intend to fail. They fail because they fail to do what they intend to do.”
To sum up, setting “SMART” goals, putting your whole mind to the task at hand, being enthusiastic, taking effective decisions and avoiding procrastination are five keys to help you climb higher in life.
Nikhil Desai is an international trainer, motivator and speaker.
What are some of the important points to remember when you go about setting goals and planning for them?
1. Your goals should be “SMART”.
It is very important that your goals be:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timebound
2. What ever you do, put your whole mind to it.
In America, Swami Vivekananda saw some kids standing on a bridge, shooting eggshells floating in the lake. The children were always off the target. Swamiji took a gun, stood still for few minutes and then fired twelve shots. Each time it hit an eggshell, Swamiji turned around and told the awe-struck boys, “What ever you do put your whole mind into it. If you’re shooting, your mind should be on the target. If you’re learning, think only of the lesson.”
3. Be and act enthusiastic.
The worst bankrupt is the person who has lost enthusiasm. Let one lose everything but enthusiasm and that person will come through to success. Of course, there will be difficulties and obstacles. There are two possible attitudes to take at such a time. One is to let it discourage you, making you feel helpless and hopeless. That attitude is disastrous. The other way is to cultivate a positive attitude towards what you can do to solve the problem in the best manner possible.
4. Take effective decisions.
Most people have no idea how much stress they can create through indecision. If you are the kind of person who cannot decide between two courses of action, afraid that the course you choose might turn out to be a mistake, it is important to bear in mind that indecision is expensive and nearly always the worst mistake you can make.
Of course, some decisions require a great deal of thought and maybe some more information. But once all the facts are available, the successful individual will reach a decision and stop thinking about the various pros and cons, so that he can devote all his energy and effort to making the decision work.
5. Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is the greatest disease that afflicts mankind. Although the disease is wide spread, it is important that we do not ignore it. Successful people do not procrastinate especially in matters they know are important to them. Someone has rightly said, “People don’t fail because they intend to fail. They fail because they fail to do what they intend to do.”
To sum up, setting “SMART” goals, putting your whole mind to the task at hand, being enthusiastic, taking effective decisions and avoiding procrastination are five keys to help you climb higher in life.
Nikhil Desai is an international trainer, motivator and speaker.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Dr. Lois Phillips offers timely advice, Perfect your Presentation Skills!
Communications Consultant Lois Phillips PhD* suggests that anyone, but particularly career changers, spend some time in a course or with a coach improving their presentation skills. Public speaking both is and isn’t about interpersonal communication, which happens when we are speaking to someone privately but we can build on a few of the same skills. Any person delivering presentations – whether technical, motivational, or persuasive- needs to be attentive to the audience. Where are they coming from? What’s on their minds? Today’s busy people are wondering: “What’s in this (presentation) for me?” Delivering a presentation to a small or large group with poise and self-confidence is a critical skill If you are changing your career and want to move into a supervisory, managerial, or a political role.
Of course, any presenter needs to know the topic well enough to be seen as an expert who has ‘done their homework’ and to have a single overarching message, but I’ve seen dynamic speakers fail because they didn’t predict what was inevitably going to happen when they were finished speaking. Predict the tough questions, whether the questions are coming from skepticism, competitiveness, or resistance to the change you are proposing. People are impressed by speakers who are ready for the Q & A and who can bridge from even the most irrelevant question back to the main message.
Speakers tend to over-prepare, wasting their own time and the listeners. It’s not necessary to share every single idea or bit of research on a particular topic. It’s best to be selective and focus only on the information that will be useful to your listeners. Are these people on the staff of a company about to be acquired or merge? Do they need reassurance about the process of change? Are you pitching a new extraordinary product or service that will require risk and new capital? Are you wanting to build trust in your ability to lead the change effort? Whatever your purpose is, after all, you’ll want the listeners to leave saying “that presentation changed my life.”
*Lois Phillips is the co-author of “Women Seen and Heard: Lessons Learned from Successful Speakers,” Luz Publications, 2004.
Of course, any presenter needs to know the topic well enough to be seen as an expert who has ‘done their homework’ and to have a single overarching message, but I’ve seen dynamic speakers fail because they didn’t predict what was inevitably going to happen when they were finished speaking. Predict the tough questions, whether the questions are coming from skepticism, competitiveness, or resistance to the change you are proposing. People are impressed by speakers who are ready for the Q & A and who can bridge from even the most irrelevant question back to the main message.
Speakers tend to over-prepare, wasting their own time and the listeners. It’s not necessary to share every single idea or bit of research on a particular topic. It’s best to be selective and focus only on the information that will be useful to your listeners. Are these people on the staff of a company about to be acquired or merge? Do they need reassurance about the process of change? Are you pitching a new extraordinary product or service that will require risk and new capital? Are you wanting to build trust in your ability to lead the change effort? Whatever your purpose is, after all, you’ll want the listeners to leave saying “that presentation changed my life.”
*Lois Phillips is the co-author of “Women Seen and Heard: Lessons Learned from Successful Speakers,” Luz Publications, 2004.
Integrity, Honesty and Principled Leadership needed more than ever.
Obama’s Success Depends on Honesty, Integrity and Principled Leadership
Reeling from economic concerns, Americans want an end to
partisanship, and more focus on serious issues.
Forget political ideology and partisan one–upsmanship, the American public is looking for its next president to be – first and foremost – an honest man of integrity and intelligence who will lead the nation by example through the tumultuous times ahead, a new Capps Center/Zogby survey shows.
If you would like to see more on this recent study by the CAPPs Center at UCSB, please visit www.cappscenter.ucsb.edu
Reeling from economic concerns, Americans want an end to
partisanship, and more focus on serious issues.
Forget political ideology and partisan one–upsmanship, the American public is looking for its next president to be – first and foremost – an honest man of integrity and intelligence who will lead the nation by example through the tumultuous times ahead, a new Capps Center/Zogby survey shows.
If you would like to see more on this recent study by the CAPPs Center at UCSB, please visit www.cappscenter.ucsb.edu
Friday, December 19, 2008
TAKING YOUR CAREER QUESTIONS
Please ASK the Experts by commenting on this blog...
it's easy and you can ask your under your own name or completely anonymously.
Just click where it says "Comments" and fill in the blanks.
We will give you a response within 24 hours!
it's easy and you can ask your under your own name or completely anonymously.
Just click where it says "Comments" and fill in the blanks.
We will give you a response within 24 hours!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Lee Iacocca has a new book: WHERE Have All the Leaders Gone?
If I've learned one thing, it's this: 'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a "Call to Action" for people who, like me, believe in America'. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had 'enough.'
Make your own contribution by sending this to everyone you know and care about. It's our country, folks, and it's our future. Our future is at stake!!
You can get a copy of Lee's new book at book stores everywhere now!
Make your own contribution by sending this to everyone you know and care about. It's our country, folks, and it's our future. Our future is at stake!!
You can get a copy of Lee's new book at book stores everywhere now!
What is the New World of Work?
What is the New World of Work?
· Job Insecurity
· We live in a "Gig-Nation" It’s less about your job that will count in the future, but more importantly about your last few Gigs! Yes, you can still have a career path, but it might look like a pinball trajectory than your father’s ladder.
· Resiliency and Resourcefulness, combined with Integrity and Credibility are among the most valued traits in the New NEW World of Work and relationships!
It's important to build your professional network, to surround yourself with both mentors and proteges. You'll need colleagues who respect you for your integrity, capacity and the results they know they can count on when they text you or write on your wall for the next Gig.
excerpts from Patty's new book JOBS2.0 The NEW New World of Work
available in Spring 2009
The Great JOBS Crash of 2009
Picture the Future……. Your JOBS 2.0 future!
It’s a whole NEW New World of Work
FAST- forward to 2012…….. There is a recession that was supposed to arrive in the United States now…… unfortunately due to accelerated change and global forces, normal business decade- time sped up and the recession or as some called it, the Great Jobs Crash of 2009, actually arrived in 2008. Almost no one was spared from being shaken and those who kept their jobs and actually got raises in 2009 began to feel especially grateful at least, on the days they weren’t nervous about the next business or state bankruptcy.
This is an excerpt from Patty's new book. You can order your copy for spring 2009 delivery now, just send us an email to patty@dedominic.com
It’s a whole NEW New World of Work
FAST- forward to 2012…….. There is a recession that was supposed to arrive in the United States now…… unfortunately due to accelerated change and global forces, normal business decade- time sped up and the recession or as some called it, the Great Jobs Crash of 2009, actually arrived in 2008. Almost no one was spared from being shaken and those who kept their jobs and actually got raises in 2009 began to feel especially grateful at least, on the days they weren’t nervous about the next business or state bankruptcy.
This is an excerpt from Patty's new book. You can order your copy for spring 2009 delivery now, just send us an email to patty@dedominic.com
Servant Leadership
The Servant Warrior Leader’s battle ground is an internal struggle for power. Each time we act in a way that moves us through a fear, habit or perception toward a desired result the internal rewards we receive are greater … courage, confidence, grace, respect, calm, clarity, wisdom, inspiration and connectedness. The external rewards are better results, in less time and more fun as we develop deeper ‘trusted advisor’ relationships with those we serve.
Thank you for your servant-warrior leadership.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson,
Authentic Leadership™ Coach, Lecturer, Author & Speaker
Bus: 905-272-5690 Cell: 416-729-7445 Skype: MBLCoach
Thank you for your servant-warrior leadership.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson,
Authentic Leadership™ Coach, Lecturer, Author & Speaker
Bus: 905-272-5690 Cell: 416-729-7445 Skype: MBLCoach
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
THINK GROWTH! an article by Kathy Ullrich
Think Growth, Not Self-Preservation
By Kathy Ullrich
“Self-preservation is the worst mistake a CEO can make,” shared StrongMail CEO Sam Cece at the most recent Getting to the Top program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “The role of the CEO is growth of a business and if the CEO is worried about self-preservation, he cannot be effective at growing the company. Just like the fastest race car drivers on the track, the best CEOs need to go for it. If you make decisions based on keeping your job, you will get crushed.”
The same concept may apply to companies in uncertain economic times. Of course companies may have some belt tightening to shore up resources. Beyond that are the strategic moves that can put a company ahead of competitors as the recession dissipates.
A McKinsey Quarterly article, Preparing for the Next Downturn, shared learnings from the previous recession. The article stated that despite many companies toppling from the top quartile, “Fifteen percent of companies that had not been market leaders prior to the last recession vaulted into these positions during it.” These companies had several common characteristics entering the downturn: balance sheet flexibility through lower debt-to-equity, operating flexibility from reducing costs, and diversified product offerings, including geographic diversity. All these gave the companies strategic flexibility to take advantage of opportunities.
To set the strategy and execute on it, companies need the right talent. For employees of all levels, self-preservation can mean doom. Employees need to think through how their efforts drive revenue, reduce cost or create strategic flexibility for the company.
As Silicon Valley came out of the last tech recession, I was quoted in USA Today. Google had hired Vinton Cerf, a father of the Internet, and the reporter wanted comments on companies’ use of executive recruiters. That was a time of major companies in Silicon Valley – SAP, HP, Microsoft, Yahoo -- hiring numerous executives in building toward business growth strategies. During weaker economic times, many key executives remain in positions rather than face unemployment and are therefore open to a new job for the right opportunity.
I encourage companies to think about not the incremental, but the big move that will propel the company, whether strategic or people changes. In softening markets, once the company has created strategic flexibility, it is the perfect time to take advantage of growth opportunities over other companies worrying about self-preservation.
By Kathy Ullrich
“Self-preservation is the worst mistake a CEO can make,” shared StrongMail CEO Sam Cece at the most recent Getting to the Top program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “The role of the CEO is growth of a business and if the CEO is worried about self-preservation, he cannot be effective at growing the company. Just like the fastest race car drivers on the track, the best CEOs need to go for it. If you make decisions based on keeping your job, you will get crushed.”
The same concept may apply to companies in uncertain economic times. Of course companies may have some belt tightening to shore up resources. Beyond that are the strategic moves that can put a company ahead of competitors as the recession dissipates.
A McKinsey Quarterly article, Preparing for the Next Downturn, shared learnings from the previous recession. The article stated that despite many companies toppling from the top quartile, “Fifteen percent of companies that had not been market leaders prior to the last recession vaulted into these positions during it.” These companies had several common characteristics entering the downturn: balance sheet flexibility through lower debt-to-equity, operating flexibility from reducing costs, and diversified product offerings, including geographic diversity. All these gave the companies strategic flexibility to take advantage of opportunities.
To set the strategy and execute on it, companies need the right talent. For employees of all levels, self-preservation can mean doom. Employees need to think through how their efforts drive revenue, reduce cost or create strategic flexibility for the company.
As Silicon Valley came out of the last tech recession, I was quoted in USA Today. Google had hired Vinton Cerf, a father of the Internet, and the reporter wanted comments on companies’ use of executive recruiters. That was a time of major companies in Silicon Valley – SAP, HP, Microsoft, Yahoo -- hiring numerous executives in building toward business growth strategies. During weaker economic times, many key executives remain in positions rather than face unemployment and are therefore open to a new job for the right opportunity.
I encourage companies to think about not the incremental, but the big move that will propel the company, whether strategic or people changes. In softening markets, once the company has created strategic flexibility, it is the perfect time to take advantage of growth opportunities over other companies worrying about self-preservation.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Corporate Lifecycles
Every organization grows and develops according to a natural lifecycle, facing predictable problems at each stage along the way.
Knowing where your organization is at on the corporate lifecycle can be critical to its success. We have developed an online tool that will help you find out.
If you would like more information or a free Corporate Lifecycle Analysis,
please visit www.adizes.com
Knowing where your organization is at on the corporate lifecycle can be critical to its success. We have developed an online tool that will help you find out.
If you would like more information or a free Corporate Lifecycle Analysis,
please visit www.adizes.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Executive Job Trends, TEXAS is Growing!
EXECUTIVE JOB TRENDS
The December 2008 Executive Job Market Report was just published.
Here are some highlights:
• Texas had 61% of all the new jobs in the last 12 months, up from 54% last month and 45% the month before.
• Florida lost the most jobs.
• Healthcare and Government had the most new jobs nationwide.
• Construction and Manufacturing lost the most jobs.
• Our current situation is still better than it was in the recessions of 1990 and 2001.
In other developments:
• Retail trade this past weekend was 7% higher than last year, beating expectations. Let's hope it continues.
• Housing prices are still 29% higher than 5 years ago on the average, including the losses in the last year.
• The National Bureau of Employment Research announced last week that we've been in a recession since December of 2007.
Want to receive your own copy of the Executive Job Market Report? Sign up here: http://jobbait.com/e/start.htm.
The December 2008 Executive Job Market Report was just published.
Here are some highlights:
• Texas had 61% of all the new jobs in the last 12 months, up from 54% last month and 45% the month before.
• Florida lost the most jobs.
• Healthcare and Government had the most new jobs nationwide.
• Construction and Manufacturing lost the most jobs.
• Our current situation is still better than it was in the recessions of 1990 and 2001.
In other developments:
• Retail trade this past weekend was 7% higher than last year, beating expectations. Let's hope it continues.
• Housing prices are still 29% higher than 5 years ago on the average, including the losses in the last year.
• The National Bureau of Employment Research announced last week that we've been in a recession since December of 2007.
Want to receive your own copy of the Executive Job Market Report? Sign up here: http://jobbait.com/e/start.htm.
Advice on Resumes from Mary Elizabeth Bradford
Prepare Your Resume for a Brand New Industry - Here's How
By Mary Elizabeth Bradford
Making the decision to move into a new industry is an exciting career step. However, your confidence can be shaken when it comes time to figure out how to re-design your resume in a way that garners interest from a new industry.
So, here are five easy tips to take the overwhelm out of changing up your resume for a new market:
Tip #1: Research your industry
First, you need to do a little industry preparation and here is how: using an online job aggregator like indeed.com, find a couple jobs that match what you are looking for.
Print out the job descriptions you found, take a highlighter and note all the key words and phrases that match your skills and abilities. Be generous in highlighting each and every word and phrase that matches!
Now you have your basic key words you know match the position and industry you are interested in.
Tip #2: Showcase your keywords
A potential employer makes a critical first impression of you via your resume and from it, they will ultimately decide if they want to know more.
To ensure the best outcome, showcase your matching keywords - preferably at the beginning of the first page of your resume. This can include your qualifications summary and as stand alone keywords under a "core competencies" section.
Tip #3: Minimize non applicable information
A common resume mistake, whether changing industries or not, is including too much detailed information.
If a function or title does not compliment your new industry or position of choice, there are a few things you can do: omit it, condense it and/or blend it under a more applicable function.
Misrepresenting yourself is never an option. Remember that your resume is a marketing piece and not a legal document. If you are unsure about what you can or should omit in your resume, consider consulting a professional (certified) resume writer who can help you.
Tip #4: Choose the right layout
When changing industries, functional resumes generally work better than chronological resumes. The reason is that they enable you to highlight your transferable skills first, which also takes the emphasis off the fact that you have not been in the industry of your choice.
Tip #5: Carry your message throughout
As you detail your accomplishments under your professional history, you want to place the emphasis on those functions and responsibilities that most closely match your new industry.
Here is a tip to draw out accomplishments that you want your reader to focus on: let's say, for example, you wish to demonstrate your team-building skills. Take a blank piece of paper and begin to list all of the teambuilding activities you have led or participated in.
Now, brainstorm on 10 to 20 achievements derived as a result of your team-building efforts.
Be careful not to edit yourself during this important process! These free-form exercises are best done when you feel most creative. As an example, for me that time is in the morning before I have gotten into the activities of the day.
Successfully changing industries is something professionals do every day. Make sure your resume is giving you maximum market leverage so you don't find yourself mistakenly thinking that you can't change industries because you don't have exact-matching qualifications!
A qualified resume writer and/or job search coach can work wonders here, but if you choose to go solo, incorporating these 5 easy tips into your resume can quickly position you to land the job in the industry you really want!
By Mary Elizabeth Bradford
Making the decision to move into a new industry is an exciting career step. However, your confidence can be shaken when it comes time to figure out how to re-design your resume in a way that garners interest from a new industry.
So, here are five easy tips to take the overwhelm out of changing up your resume for a new market:
Tip #1: Research your industry
First, you need to do a little industry preparation and here is how: using an online job aggregator like indeed.com, find a couple jobs that match what you are looking for.
Print out the job descriptions you found, take a highlighter and note all the key words and phrases that match your skills and abilities. Be generous in highlighting each and every word and phrase that matches!
Now you have your basic key words you know match the position and industry you are interested in.
Tip #2: Showcase your keywords
A potential employer makes a critical first impression of you via your resume and from it, they will ultimately decide if they want to know more.
To ensure the best outcome, showcase your matching keywords - preferably at the beginning of the first page of your resume. This can include your qualifications summary and as stand alone keywords under a "core competencies" section.
Tip #3: Minimize non applicable information
A common resume mistake, whether changing industries or not, is including too much detailed information.
If a function or title does not compliment your new industry or position of choice, there are a few things you can do: omit it, condense it and/or blend it under a more applicable function.
Misrepresenting yourself is never an option. Remember that your resume is a marketing piece and not a legal document. If you are unsure about what you can or should omit in your resume, consider consulting a professional (certified) resume writer who can help you.
Tip #4: Choose the right layout
When changing industries, functional resumes generally work better than chronological resumes. The reason is that they enable you to highlight your transferable skills first, which also takes the emphasis off the fact that you have not been in the industry of your choice.
Tip #5: Carry your message throughout
As you detail your accomplishments under your professional history, you want to place the emphasis on those functions and responsibilities that most closely match your new industry.
Here is a tip to draw out accomplishments that you want your reader to focus on: let's say, for example, you wish to demonstrate your team-building skills. Take a blank piece of paper and begin to list all of the teambuilding activities you have led or participated in.
Now, brainstorm on 10 to 20 achievements derived as a result of your team-building efforts.
Be careful not to edit yourself during this important process! These free-form exercises are best done when you feel most creative. As an example, for me that time is in the morning before I have gotten into the activities of the day.
Successfully changing industries is something professionals do every day. Make sure your resume is giving you maximum market leverage so you don't find yourself mistakenly thinking that you can't change industries because you don't have exact-matching qualifications!
A qualified resume writer and/or job search coach can work wonders here, but if you choose to go solo, incorporating these 5 easy tips into your resume can quickly position you to land the job in the industry you really want!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Thoughts on Leadership vs Management
Leadership is about doing the right things.
Management is about doing those things the right way.
Any organization can be revitalized with Authentic Leadership™, but never with great management.
Launching a leadership ‘revolution’ on the existing status quo must come first.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson,
Authentic Leadership™ Coach, Author & Speaker
Management is about doing those things the right way.
Any organization can be revitalized with Authentic Leadership™, but never with great management.
Launching a leadership ‘revolution’ on the existing status quo must come first.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson,
Authentic Leadership™ Coach, Author & Speaker
Monday, November 24, 2008
Work Life Coach Shares Tips for Success
TOP TIPS
10 Tips for Career SuccessBy Alvah Parker
1. Find ways to learn continuously.
2. Find ways to improve whatever you do. Be willing to incorporate the new ideas that you learn in #1.
3. Do your work completely and with pride.
4. Be true to your own values.
5. Clear up those irritations (energy drains) so that you can devote your energy to your work.
6. Practice self-care so that you feel good about yourself.
7. Keep work in perspective so that you have time for other parts of your life (family, friends, hobbies, volunteer work).
8. Listen carefully to everyone. Managers need to walk around and talk to employees and customers.
9. Network within your company and outside.
10. Delegate tasks when appropriate and empower those doing the work to do it their own way.
Alvah Parker is publisher of Road to Success and Parker's Points, e-newsletters providing strategies to advance your business and career goals. Alvah is a Work/life coach, who can be reached at asparker@asparker.com
10 Tips for Career SuccessBy Alvah Parker
1. Find ways to learn continuously.
2. Find ways to improve whatever you do. Be willing to incorporate the new ideas that you learn in #1.
3. Do your work completely and with pride.
4. Be true to your own values.
5. Clear up those irritations (energy drains) so that you can devote your energy to your work.
6. Practice self-care so that you feel good about yourself.
7. Keep work in perspective so that you have time for other parts of your life (family, friends, hobbies, volunteer work).
8. Listen carefully to everyone. Managers need to walk around and talk to employees and customers.
9. Network within your company and outside.
10. Delegate tasks when appropriate and empower those doing the work to do it their own way.
Alvah Parker is publisher of Road to Success and Parker's Points, e-newsletters providing strategies to advance your business and career goals. Alvah is a Work/life coach, who can be reached at asparker@asparker.com
Free Teleseminar to take your job search to Outstanding!
Mary Elizabeth Bradford Is offering a FREE mini teleseminar
where she shares 5 simple steps that help people take their job search
from "overwhelming" to "outstanding!"
Here website offers lots of great tips and ideas. I encourage you to
visit her site and take advantage of some of the free offerings.
http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com
where she shares 5 simple steps that help people take their job search
from "overwhelming" to "outstanding!"
Here website offers lots of great tips and ideas. I encourage you to
visit her site and take advantage of some of the free offerings.
http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Dr. Adele Scheele on Fantasy Jobs
Getting laid off can be a great opportunity to pursue your fantasy career. But before you dive in to that acting class, cooking school, or graduate program in medieval literature, you need to do some soul-searching and some practical research too. Take a hard look at why you want this fantasy career, what it will take to attain it, and how you will feel once you have it.
Remember that finding a challenging job or career requires drive, time, and perseverance. The following are some avenues to explore (simultaneously) BEFORE you make your choice:
Get an internship in that field – a perch to watch what other people do, and to make some friends who might mentor you “mailroom syndrome.”
Ask alumni association for the names of people from your school who are in the field of your interest. Contact them, and mine them for information.
Research companies where you might want to work and ask anyone you know if they know anyone who works there.
Before you embark on a new career, you must get as much information as possible. You want to avoid investing in a career that turns out to be something other than what you expected or fantasized about. After your exploratory research, if you conclude that your fantasy career is a realistic career for you, all of the research you have done will make you move up faster.
This is from Dr.Adele.com's website this week. DeDominic & Associates www.dedominic.com is proud to announce a collaboration with Dr. Scheele. If you would like to work with her on your own career transitions, please contact us at
info@dedominic.com
Remember that finding a challenging job or career requires drive, time, and perseverance. The following are some avenues to explore (simultaneously) BEFORE you make your choice:
Get an internship in that field – a perch to watch what other people do, and to make some friends who might mentor you “mailroom syndrome.”
Ask alumni association for the names of people from your school who are in the field of your interest. Contact them, and mine them for information.
Research companies where you might want to work and ask anyone you know if they know anyone who works there.
Before you embark on a new career, you must get as much information as possible. You want to avoid investing in a career that turns out to be something other than what you expected or fantasized about. After your exploratory research, if you conclude that your fantasy career is a realistic career for you, all of the research you have done will make you move up faster.
This is from Dr.Adele.com's website this week. DeDominic & Associates www.dedominic.com is proud to announce a collaboration with Dr. Scheele. If you would like to work with her on your own career transitions, please contact us at
info@dedominic.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
Advice from a Pro Manager on lay offs
This is valuable advice from Armando Estrada
Losing ones' job through company shut down, down sizing, re-location, etc. can be one of life's most horrible nightmares. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare even though it is one of life's most unpleasant episodes. I've been through this episode 5 times. Here's my advice to those who are experiencing a job loss:
Before embarking on a job search plan of action there are several items to be considered immediately upon losing your job: are you getting a severance package?: will your benefits be continued with the severance package?: is your employer providing any assistance in resume writing, placement services, job loss counseling and guidance in applying for State Unemployment or Disability benefits? This is vital for you to know before doing anything.
After losing your job you are going to be going through a dark period of depression, worry, anger, self doubt and lack of confidence even though what has just occurred was not your fault in any way shape or form. So before starting a job search you have got to get all of the aforementioned negatives out of your system. You really need a positive mentor to help you and guide you past this before proceeding to finding the job paths that are there for you. Believe me there are always job paths, career paths open but in a depressed state of mind you won't even see them.
In finding not just a job but the "right Job", you have to break away from what everybody else is doing. No one knows you better than yourself, therefore no one can market or sell you to an employer better than yourself. You are going to hear from the "recruiting experts" that you must prepare a resume that has all the "key words", proper set up and lay out, etc. Well let me tell you that you will hear all kinds of different advice from the "recruiting experts". There are several major problems, 1.) The recruiters can not hire you. 2.) Employers need the best possible "workers", not the best resume writers.
Before writing your resume thoroughly complete an employment application form. The employment application form contains everything that you must provide to an employer before being considered to be hired. It will also greatly assist you in writing your resume. Besides marketing your resume through Monster, Career Builders, Cal Jobs, etc. You have to be creative and do what the other job seekers are not doing and that is to go directly to the employers. Doing this implements networking and other strategic actions that unfortunately I haven't written yet.
The key elements in finding another job is first - not to forget how you got the job you have now - do it again! Also utilize every job finding resource available to you, I.e., One Stop Centers, Cal Jobs, Recruiters, Friends, Family, Your present employers assistance, etc.
Most importantly, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Do not ever give up because you will never lose if you don't give up.
Losing ones' job through company shut down, down sizing, re-location, etc. can be one of life's most horrible nightmares. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare even though it is one of life's most unpleasant episodes. I've been through this episode 5 times. Here's my advice to those who are experiencing a job loss:
Before embarking on a job search plan of action there are several items to be considered immediately upon losing your job: are you getting a severance package?: will your benefits be continued with the severance package?: is your employer providing any assistance in resume writing, placement services, job loss counseling and guidance in applying for State Unemployment or Disability benefits? This is vital for you to know before doing anything.
After losing your job you are going to be going through a dark period of depression, worry, anger, self doubt and lack of confidence even though what has just occurred was not your fault in any way shape or form. So before starting a job search you have got to get all of the aforementioned negatives out of your system. You really need a positive mentor to help you and guide you past this before proceeding to finding the job paths that are there for you. Believe me there are always job paths, career paths open but in a depressed state of mind you won't even see them.
In finding not just a job but the "right Job", you have to break away from what everybody else is doing. No one knows you better than yourself, therefore no one can market or sell you to an employer better than yourself. You are going to hear from the "recruiting experts" that you must prepare a resume that has all the "key words", proper set up and lay out, etc. Well let me tell you that you will hear all kinds of different advice from the "recruiting experts". There are several major problems, 1.) The recruiters can not hire you. 2.) Employers need the best possible "workers", not the best resume writers.
Before writing your resume thoroughly complete an employment application form. The employment application form contains everything that you must provide to an employer before being considered to be hired. It will also greatly assist you in writing your resume. Besides marketing your resume through Monster, Career Builders, Cal Jobs, etc. You have to be creative and do what the other job seekers are not doing and that is to go directly to the employers. Doing this implements networking and other strategic actions that unfortunately I haven't written yet.
The key elements in finding another job is first - not to forget how you got the job you have now - do it again! Also utilize every job finding resource available to you, I.e., One Stop Centers, Cal Jobs, Recruiters, Friends, Family, Your present employers assistance, etc.
Most importantly, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Do not ever give up because you will never lose if you don't give up.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tough Times call for "A Beginners Mind" Attitude
A Confident New Beginning
These challenging times are a great opportunity for us to develop our ‘beginner’s mind.’ By removing preconceptions of how things should be we open to new possibilities. A beginner’s mind attitude combined with the confidence that comes from a focus on actions and results will multiply your results.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson, Ph.D. Authentic Leadership™
These challenging times are a great opportunity for us to develop our ‘beginner’s mind.’ By removing preconceptions of how things should be we open to new possibilities. A beginner’s mind attitude combined with the confidence that comes from a focus on actions and results will multiply your results.
In Leadership,
Phil Johnson, Ph.D. Authentic Leadership™
Networking in Job Hunting
I was recently asked how best to enter a new career field. There are many aspects of career change that need your attention including education and learning about the culture and norms of that industry. An important part of accelerated learning is to NETWORK!
Please begin networking in your new field as if you have already entered it to get the most out of a growing circle of mentors and friends in the profession. Changing jobs and particularly changing industries take work. It can be a full time job, so expect to put your effort into learning new skills, meeting new people and doing your home work.
Our best advice is to network like you are already in the field!
*NETWORK
*VOLUNTEER
*TRY BACK DOORS
*WORK IN AS A TEMP
*ASK FOR REFERRALS
What if you don't know "who" to begin to network with?
Try working temp to break in......
Many people have entered their dream jobs by working first for a temp service which has a contract with the Target company.
Please read industry publications and know that going to conferences will help you meet people who are serious professionals in the field you Target. Try to quickly bring yourself up to speed with the culture and norms to better understand the potential fit for you. Not everyone will love the new culture in a changing field. There might be good reason you have always worked in the not for profit or educational sectors! If I had a dime for every unhappy lawyer or Wall Street type... hey!
Doing your home work takes time but good news, you can do much of this from home, On-Line and by reading periodicals from the news racks.
One great way to enter your target field is to get a "trial" job by signing up with a Temp Service. Try to register with the ones which specialize in your field. Of course I recommend you try one of the 250++ offices of www.selectstaffing.com but there are many temp services for management, for newer grads, for US Veterans and others who wish to "try before you buy" a career niche. Let your interviewer know that you wish shorter term opportunities to maximize your department and various company exposures. Enjoy making new friends and look for ways to learn more about the company at trade shows, seminars and by connecting with pros already successful in your target field.
In California, almost everyone uses Craig’s list for job postings….
So Blogs, Job boards, The newspaper, magazines and Monster are good bets.
Another way people get job offers is by volunteering in their chosen passion!
VOLUNTEER! it will build your contacts and experience. Many people volunteer for the causes they love and they appreciate enthusiastic "co conspiritors". Many, who want to break into the entertainment field might do well volunteering for the Motion Picture Museum, The Rock Hall of Fame and other locations and charities the pros have supported over the years. AidsWalk, Walk for the Cure,the Thalians.org at Cedars Hospital in LA have annual benefits which are supported by many celebrities and leading film industry and business execs. Really thinking of becoming a nurse? Try baby cuddling at Children's Hospital! Let your light shine doing things you can become passionate about and you may never "work" a day at your job in your life.... Lets your light shine and be seen by people who can make referrals for you.
Investing your time, doing volunteer work near the pros is a great way to network and get noticed.
Best of luck, and please leave comments here on the blog or at one of the other posts. If you would like to discuss other subjects and need more advice about jobs, please let us know. Patty@dedominic.com
Patty DeDominic
Instructions to Post Comments:
Comments are open to the public, you do not need to register for a special account.
To comment, click the comment icon below this post. Then, type your comment and choose from one of the several different 'identity' options. You can post anonymously or just choose the 'Name/URL' option which will associate your name with the comment. If you wish to remain anonymous, then choose the 'anonymous' option.
Please begin networking in your new field as if you have already entered it to get the most out of a growing circle of mentors and friends in the profession. Changing jobs and particularly changing industries take work. It can be a full time job, so expect to put your effort into learning new skills, meeting new people and doing your home work.
Our best advice is to network like you are already in the field!
*NETWORK
*VOLUNTEER
*TRY BACK DOORS
*WORK IN AS A TEMP
*ASK FOR REFERRALS
What if you don't know "who" to begin to network with?
Try working temp to break in......
Many people have entered their dream jobs by working first for a temp service which has a contract with the Target company.
Please read industry publications and know that going to conferences will help you meet people who are serious professionals in the field you Target. Try to quickly bring yourself up to speed with the culture and norms to better understand the potential fit for you. Not everyone will love the new culture in a changing field. There might be good reason you have always worked in the not for profit or educational sectors! If I had a dime for every unhappy lawyer or Wall Street type... hey!
Doing your home work takes time but good news, you can do much of this from home, On-Line and by reading periodicals from the news racks.
One great way to enter your target field is to get a "trial" job by signing up with a Temp Service. Try to register with the ones which specialize in your field. Of course I recommend you try one of the 250++ offices of www.selectstaffing.com but there are many temp services for management, for newer grads, for US Veterans and others who wish to "try before you buy" a career niche. Let your interviewer know that you wish shorter term opportunities to maximize your department and various company exposures. Enjoy making new friends and look for ways to learn more about the company at trade shows, seminars and by connecting with pros already successful in your target field.
In California, almost everyone uses Craig’s list for job postings….
So Blogs, Job boards, The newspaper, magazines and Monster are good bets.
Another way people get job offers is by volunteering in their chosen passion!
VOLUNTEER! it will build your contacts and experience. Many people volunteer for the causes they love and they appreciate enthusiastic "co conspiritors". Many, who want to break into the entertainment field might do well volunteering for the Motion Picture Museum, The Rock Hall of Fame and other locations and charities the pros have supported over the years. AidsWalk, Walk for the Cure,the Thalians.org at Cedars Hospital in LA have annual benefits which are supported by many celebrities and leading film industry and business execs. Really thinking of becoming a nurse? Try baby cuddling at Children's Hospital! Let your light shine doing things you can become passionate about and you may never "work" a day at your job in your life.... Lets your light shine and be seen by people who can make referrals for you.
Investing your time, doing volunteer work near the pros is a great way to network and get noticed.
Best of luck, and please leave comments here on the blog or at one of the other posts. If you would like to discuss other subjects and need more advice about jobs, please let us know. Patty@dedominic.com
Patty DeDominic
Instructions to Post Comments:
Comments are open to the public, you do not need to register for a special account.
To comment, click the comment icon below this post. Then, type your comment and choose from one of the several different 'identity' options. You can post anonymously or just choose the 'Name/URL' option which will associate your name with the comment. If you wish to remain anonymous, then choose the 'anonymous' option.
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