Wednesday, May 5, 2010
My Newest Book, available for pre order now
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Put Yourself in front of 90% of the other Job Hunters by Patty DeDominic
OUT OF WORK AND DETERMINED TO GET A JOB?
Want to move to the front of the line of qualified candidates?
Here are some tips to put yourself in front of 90% of your fellow job applicants!
Getting a job is like accomplishing most other goals but it is often harder to be objective about it because it is so personal. Many important aspects of our lives are included in our job and it can seem so much bigger than "just a goal like any other". It's our paycheck, our livelihood, our reason for leaving the house five or more days a week and for many people, a job or career is much of their life's identity.
When your whole identify and self confidence are wrapped up in what you do for a living, finding yourself unemployed can seem like a most traumatic event... Confidence shaken it can be almost impossible to be objective. But Objectivity and clear goal setting techniques are very important tolls for the successful job candidates.
SET YOURSELF APART FROM and in front of the competition by doing your homework..... and a little homework and preparation will pay off big time.
Here's how to become more objective and how to engage goal setting techniques to apply to your job hunt. If you do ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly you will be better prepared to take the steps necessary to do your outreach, networking, prospecting, preparing and follow up.
Who is MY target Market? Which employers are likely to need my skills and where am I going to fit in for a win for them and for me?
Employers love it when the job candidate really wants to work for them and is a great fit. One of your goals is to look like a great fit and to be able to make your case about why that is true.
You will need to do some research on the employer and you will also need to be able to articulate why you are THE candidate to hire. Employers today look for win win and the cost of hiring and the cost of mistakes in hiring the wrong person usually keep employers eager to reduce the risks of hiring the wrong person, unqualified people or where the chemistry is not great.
Please make a list of a few industries and then some specific companies who fit this second question.
Take time now to list at least 5 industries and 5-10 employers in each of these industries. Once you do this you now have a target prospect list of at least 25-50 companies you can do research on, ask for referrals to and target as a great potential employer.
Once you have YOUR Personalized TARGET list you are ready to begin doing some personal inventory of your own skills and potential contributions.
Job Candidates who know their skill sets and can articulate their potential contributions to the employers get hired two to three times faster than other "qualified" candidates and ten times faster than those who do not have the needed skills.
Here are some tips to put yourself in front of 90% of your fellow job applicants!
Getting a job is like accomplishing most other goals but it is often harder to be objective about it because it is so personal. Many important aspects of our lives are included in our job and it can seem so much bigger than "just a goal like any other". It's our paycheck, our livelihood, our reason for leaving the house five or more days a week and for many people, a job or career is much of their life's identity.
When your whole identify and self confidence are wrapped up in what you do for a living, finding yourself unemployed can seem like a most traumatic event... Confidence shaken it can be almost impossible to be objective. But Objectivity and clear goal setting techniques are very important tolls for the successful job candidates.
SET YOURSELF APART FROM and in front of the competition by doing your homework..... and a little homework and preparation will pay off big time.
Here's how to become more objective and how to engage goal setting techniques to apply to your job hunt. If you do ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly you will be better prepared to take the steps necessary to do your outreach, networking, prospecting, preparing and follow up.
Who is MY target Market? Which employers are likely to need my skills and where am I going to fit in for a win for them and for me?
Employers love it when the job candidate really wants to work for them and is a great fit. One of your goals is to look like a great fit and to be able to make your case about why that is true.
You will need to do some research on the employer and you will also need to be able to articulate why you are THE candidate to hire. Employers today look for win win and the cost of hiring and the cost of mistakes in hiring the wrong person usually keep employers eager to reduce the risks of hiring the wrong person, unqualified people or where the chemistry is not great.
Please make a list of a few industries and then some specific companies who fit this second question.
Take time now to list at least 5 industries and 5-10 employers in each of these industries. Once you do this you now have a target prospect list of at least 25-50 companies you can do research on, ask for referrals to and target as a great potential employer.
Once you have YOUR Personalized TARGET list you are ready to begin doing some personal inventory of your own skills and potential contributions.
Job Candidates who know their skill sets and can articulate their potential contributions to the employers get hired two to three times faster than other "qualified" candidates and ten times faster than those who do not have the needed skills.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tips on Getting a Raise by Patty DeDominic, Coach to High Achievers
Few quick tips on Getting the raise in this tough economy:
1. Prepare yourself and be ready to make your “business case” not your hardship case. Sadly, no one
Is going to be able to pay you more just because your needs are greater, the price of gas is still through the roof or your relatives need an operation. There are over ten million Americans in that latter boat now…unemployed or severely underemployed and those reasons while being valid are not sufficient to get YOUR PAY and Respect levels raised.
2. Make an Appointment with your boss to discuss “business opportunities”. Try not to be coy, but don’t tell that you want a pay raise just yet.
Let your boss know that you would like to talk about “our best opportunities” for creating more revenue or cutting costs as well as get some input on his or her perception of your performance. After you get the lay of the land with regard to their perception of your contributions and your “report card” you will be in a better position to ask for a salary adjustment. Note, I said Adjustment, not a raise.
3. At the 2nd or third meeting with your boss on the subjects suggested above, bring up your perspective (without going on the offensive or being on the defensive) about your Contributions to the value of the business or department.
4. Remember that getting a raise in 2010 and beyond is going to be more about “making contributions” and sharing in some of those opportunities than it is a cost of living increase or straight pay raise. Many salaries have been frozen in place for several years now and thousands of businesses have been able to hire new employees as 65-79% of the former starting salaries – so getting paid “like yesterday” is a thing of the past – for now. Unfortunately it is no longer about how many hours you work…. Or how hard the work is, it is about your contributions to the margin….aka the profits or the reduction of expenses. Employers in 2010 can only afford to pay for progress and contribution and no longer pay for loyalty or longevity.
5. After you have made a good case for the value of your contributions, ask for a PAY Adjustment to better reflect the contributions you are making and the results (you and your boss agree on) that have come due to your effectiveness and experience in your role. Chances are your boss has their “we are out of money” speech well practiced and they know how to put off an unprepared employee from asking for a raise….. but most supervisors, CEOs and executives know that it costs money to make money and INVESTMENTS is the people who really drive the revenue and the margins and costs for the business can pay off handsomely.
6. Don’t threaten to quit….but educate yourself and become aware of what the competition would be willing to pay for your talents and time. . If you know what the competition is and how you fit in to the bigger picture you automatically increase your value and your chances of getting the right kind of attention from your boss. You may not get your raise the first time you try this approach but you will eventually get better at it and you are likely to find yourself in the position of either getting more paid time off, increased responsibilities or opportunities and eventually a big pay increase If you cannot get the right pay raises where you are, it might pay off to do a little job shopping!
Following these tips will enable you to make a strong case for increased pay. You will also make progress in understanding your own employer and their perspectives and opinion of your contributions. Awareness and knowledge is valuable…… YOU can turn Value into a bigger paycheck for yourself.
Patty DeDominic
DeDominic & Associates Coaches to High Achievers
www.thenewnewworldofwork.com
Patty De is past president of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Here firm was a national award winning staffing partner to such corporate giants as AT&T, USC, Children’s Hospitals, The American Red Cross, entrepreneurial businesses and governments. Patty participated in advanced training on negotiations at Harvard University and got her Institutional Shareholders (ISS) Certification from UC Berkeley in 2008.
In 2006, the Los Angeles Business journal named DeDominic CEO of the Year at it’s annual Women Making A Difference Awards Luncheon
1. Prepare yourself and be ready to make your “business case” not your hardship case. Sadly, no one
Is going to be able to pay you more just because your needs are greater, the price of gas is still through the roof or your relatives need an operation. There are over ten million Americans in that latter boat now…unemployed or severely underemployed and those reasons while being valid are not sufficient to get YOUR PAY and Respect levels raised.
2. Make an Appointment with your boss to discuss “business opportunities”. Try not to be coy, but don’t tell that you want a pay raise just yet.
Let your boss know that you would like to talk about “our best opportunities” for creating more revenue or cutting costs as well as get some input on his or her perception of your performance. After you get the lay of the land with regard to their perception of your contributions and your “report card” you will be in a better position to ask for a salary adjustment. Note, I said Adjustment, not a raise.
3. At the 2nd or third meeting with your boss on the subjects suggested above, bring up your perspective (without going on the offensive or being on the defensive) about your Contributions to the value of the business or department.
4. Remember that getting a raise in 2010 and beyond is going to be more about “making contributions” and sharing in some of those opportunities than it is a cost of living increase or straight pay raise. Many salaries have been frozen in place for several years now and thousands of businesses have been able to hire new employees as 65-79% of the former starting salaries – so getting paid “like yesterday” is a thing of the past – for now. Unfortunately it is no longer about how many hours you work…. Or how hard the work is, it is about your contributions to the margin….aka the profits or the reduction of expenses. Employers in 2010 can only afford to pay for progress and contribution and no longer pay for loyalty or longevity.
5. After you have made a good case for the value of your contributions, ask for a PAY Adjustment to better reflect the contributions you are making and the results (you and your boss agree on) that have come due to your effectiveness and experience in your role. Chances are your boss has their “we are out of money” speech well practiced and they know how to put off an unprepared employee from asking for a raise….. but most supervisors, CEOs and executives know that it costs money to make money and INVESTMENTS is the people who really drive the revenue and the margins and costs for the business can pay off handsomely.
6. Don’t threaten to quit….but educate yourself and become aware of what the competition would be willing to pay for your talents and time. . If you know what the competition is and how you fit in to the bigger picture you automatically increase your value and your chances of getting the right kind of attention from your boss. You may not get your raise the first time you try this approach but you will eventually get better at it and you are likely to find yourself in the position of either getting more paid time off, increased responsibilities or opportunities and eventually a big pay increase If you cannot get the right pay raises where you are, it might pay off to do a little job shopping!
Following these tips will enable you to make a strong case for increased pay. You will also make progress in understanding your own employer and their perspectives and opinion of your contributions. Awareness and knowledge is valuable…… YOU can turn Value into a bigger paycheck for yourself.
Patty DeDominic
DeDominic & Associates Coaches to High Achievers
www.thenewnewworldofwork.com
Patty De is past president of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Here firm was a national award winning staffing partner to such corporate giants as AT&T, USC, Children’s Hospitals, The American Red Cross, entrepreneurial businesses and governments. Patty participated in advanced training on negotiations at Harvard University and got her Institutional Shareholders (ISS) Certification from UC Berkeley in 2008.
In 2006, the Los Angeles Business journal named DeDominic CEO of the Year at it’s annual Women Making A Difference Awards Luncheon
Friday, April 2, 2010
See Jane in Your Town! | the Jane Goodall Institute
See Jane Goodall in Your Town! the Jane Goodall Institute
Click on the link above to go the JGI.
Many of my readers know that I enjoy working with top professionals in their fields. I have been fortunate over my 30 year career to work with some of the world's leading subject matter experts. Watching a pro in action and helping them achieve are two of my favorite things to do!
I enjoyed serving on Jane Goodall Institute board of directors for six years. Gene and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Africa with Jane and other important environmental leaders. Seeing Dr. Jane Goodall in her element was an incredible experience. It was certainly enough to keep me motivated to help her raise money and grow her institute multifold over the next few years.
When we were in Africa, we stayed in the workers camp, ate at Jane's home at Gombe National Park
and sat with her on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. One day we went out to view the chimpanzees and got the show of our lives as the chimps walked among us, just a few feet away. We noticed that the animals
seemed to know "Jane was in town" as they magically appeared from the dark reaches of the jungle and
called to each other...and seemingly to her. It was an awesome experience and if you have not yet
met Jane Goodall I really encourage you to go to one of her lectures soon.
When we were at Gombe National Park, we climbed to the top of "Jane's Peak" (she was in better shape than all of us!). This is the 50th anniversary of Jane's groundbreaking research and passion for Gombe. It is also her birthday month.... and in her mid 70's she is still climbing around the peaks of Africa and traveling the world hundreds of days each year. She is truly an amazing woman and one who has devoted her life to making the world a better place.
I encourage you to support Roots & Shoots the global youth program now reaching young
people in over 80 countries and to help support the vision of a better world. http://www.janegoodall.org/
Patty DeDominic
patty@dedominic.com
Helping Achievers Soar
http://www.dedominic.com/
http://www.how2valueyourself.com/
Click on the link above to go the JGI.
I enjoyed serving on Jane Goodall Institute board of directors for six years. Gene and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Africa with Jane and other important environmental leaders. Seeing Dr. Jane Goodall in her element was an incredible experience. It was certainly enough to keep me motivated to help her raise money and grow her institute multifold over the next few years.
When we were in Africa, we stayed in the workers camp, ate at Jane's home at Gombe National Park
and sat with her on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. One day we went out to view the chimpanzees and got the show of our lives as the chimps walked among us, just a few feet away. We noticed that the animals
seemed to know "Jane was in town" as they magically appeared from the dark reaches of the jungle and
called to each other...and seemingly to her. It was an awesome experience and if you have not yet
met Jane Goodall I really encourage you to go to one of her lectures soon.
When we were at Gombe National Park, we climbed to the top of "Jane's Peak" (she was in better shape than all of us!). This is the 50th anniversary of Jane's groundbreaking research and passion for Gombe. It is also her birthday month.... and in her mid 70's she is still climbing around the peaks of Africa and traveling the world hundreds of days each year. She is truly an amazing woman and one who has devoted her life to making the world a better place.
I encourage you to support Roots & Shoots the global youth program now reaching young
people in over 80 countries and to help support the vision of a better world. http://www.janegoodall.org/
Patty DeDominic
patty@dedominic.com
Helping Achievers Soar
http://www.dedominic.com/
http://www.how2valueyourself.com/
Make Money on the Internet? Learn How With a Real Product Launch Innercircle
Do you know anyone who would want to be part of a groundbreaking,
sneak peek experience where two business and marketing experts discuss
development of their next multi-media product?
Do you know a frustrated subject matter expert who would benefit from the step-by-step
methods that could transform their knowledge into money in their pocket?
Do you know anyone, whose retirement has been derailed due to bad investments?
Recent Bureau of Labor studies have shown that our nations unempoyment rate is still about 10% and fewer than 20 % of American workers have savings for retirement of over $50,000. According to recent BLS reports, the percentage job decrease for the Nation as whole was 5.3 percent over the same period (September 2008 to September 2009).
The largest decline in employment levels occurred in Los Angeles, Calif. (‑278,000), followed by the counties of Maricopa, Ariz. (‑155,000), Cook, Ill. (‑140,100), Orange, Calif. (‑126,400), and New York, N.Y. (‑125,100). Combined employment losses in these five counties over the year totaled 824,600 or 11.6 percent of the employment decline for the entire United States.
Employment declined in 329 of the 334 largest U.S. counties from September 2008 to September 2009.
The BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program produced these data, which are preliminary and subject to revision. Data presented here are for all workers covered by State and Federal unemployment insurance programs. The largest counties are those with employment levels of 75,000 or more. To learn more, see "County Employment and Wages: Third Quarter 2009" (PDF) (HTML), news release 10-0393.
How do you turn it around?
You create internet income from your ideas.
How do you start?
Become a fly-on-the-wall during someone else's product launch!
Take this multi-media 45 day, inner circle privileges course
and experience a case study live – as it unfolds.
How To Value Yourself product launch inner circle – 45 day multimedia course,
features social entrepreneurs Patty DeDominic and Dr. Nina Craft (Dr. Neen) as they launch their next venture. They will be using their business expertise to launch a product on the internet.
Internet business consultant, Dr. Neen, a multi-book author, will coach her co-author, Patty DeDominic to leverage her expertise in career placement, as she navigates the internet and launches her second book using the latest technology tools. This will be a co-authoring venture with possible creation of multiple products along the way. You'll learn about social media and how to apply it to YOUR idea as well!
To find out more about this adventure and reserve your experiential ticket, visit http://www.how2valueyourself.com/
sneak peek experience where two business and marketing experts discuss
development of their next multi-media product?
Do you know a frustrated subject matter expert who would benefit from the step-by-step
methods that could transform their knowledge into money in their pocket?
Do you know anyone, whose retirement has been derailed due to bad investments?
Recent Bureau of Labor studies have shown that our nations unempoyment rate is still about 10% and fewer than 20 % of American workers have savings for retirement of over $50,000. According to recent BLS reports, the percentage job decrease for the Nation as whole was 5.3 percent over the same period (September 2008 to September 2009).
The largest decline in employment levels occurred in Los Angeles, Calif. (‑278,000), followed by the counties of Maricopa, Ariz. (‑155,000), Cook, Ill. (‑140,100), Orange, Calif. (‑126,400), and New York, N.Y. (‑125,100). Combined employment losses in these five counties over the year totaled 824,600 or 11.6 percent of the employment decline for the entire United States.
Employment declined in 329 of the 334 largest U.S. counties from September 2008 to September 2009.
The BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program produced these data, which are preliminary and subject to revision. Data presented here are for all workers covered by State and Federal unemployment insurance programs. The largest counties are those with employment levels of 75,000 or more. To learn more, see "County Employment and Wages: Third Quarter 2009" (PDF) (HTML), news release 10-0393.
How do you turn it around?
You create internet income from your ideas.
How do you start?
Become a fly-on-the-wall during someone else's product launch!
Take this multi-media 45 day, inner circle privileges course
and experience a case study live – as it unfolds.
How To Value Yourself product launch inner circle – 45 day multimedia course,
features social entrepreneurs Patty DeDominic and Dr. Nina Craft (Dr. Neen) as they launch their next venture. They will be using their business expertise to launch a product on the internet.
Internet business consultant, Dr. Neen, a multi-book author, will coach her co-author, Patty DeDominic to leverage her expertise in career placement, as she navigates the internet and launches her second book using the latest technology tools. This will be a co-authoring venture with possible creation of multiple products along the way. You'll learn about social media and how to apply it to YOUR idea as well!
To find out more about this adventure and reserve your experiential ticket, visit http://www.how2valueyourself.com/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Mimi Donaldson on Necessary Roughness
Necessary Roughness:
New Rules for the Contact Sport of Life
Prevailing in challenging times is not a question of ability – people are able.
Opportunity and intention are what football is all about.
Over the years, many football coaches have written books that teach life lessons from the game. Sports figures and sports newscasters have written books teaching leadership lessons. An NFL wife wrote a book as a fan and insider of the professional league. But until now, there has never been a funny and profound take from a lifelong football fan with a team building background. Mimi Donaldson is about to change that.
Women have gained a great deal at home and at work. We are assertive, but now it’s time to step up the game. No longer are we expected to play nice all the time. Sometimes, a certain roughness is necessary: we need to talk straight, stand our ground, say no, and negotiate everything. As in football, we need to hunker down and get our knuckles in the dirt.
In this laugh-out-loud, insightful and practical book, you’ll discover a new appreciation of football strategies. After all, they are the same strategies you have used to get ahead in business and be successful in your personal relationships. In this female-friendly book, Mimi shares the secrets of capitalizing on opportunity and intention, so you can become the ultimate coach for yourself and your team. Then nothing will stand in the way of your win.
e-mail: mimi@mimidonaldson.com
http://www.mimidonaldson.com/
Thursday, March 18, 2010
David Harder on Becoming Engaged!
Here are three ways you can create full engagement with your own work:
1. Define and Find the work that makes you happy
You are never too young or too old to begin this process. The payoff is extraordinary for you and everyone around you.
2. Learn the skills necessary to succeed
Many of us don't define & pursue what we want because we don't get someone to help us develop the skills to succeed.
3. Build a community to support your ongoing success
Why do we have to drag winners from the Oscar podium? Because so many people helped them get there. Success isn't attained on our own.
Here are three ways you can create full engagement with your workers:
1. Attract, Train & Develop Great Bosses
The best job in the world becomes the job from hell if the boss isn't great. Build and develop engagement by developing leaders who tell the truth, praise people for their contributions and who continually develop talent to be the best they can be.
2. If you don't have full engagement, create an intervention
Check in with your own truth. If you don't have full engagement with your company, bring in help. Your business will realize more profit by addressing this issue head-on.
3. Develop an Employer Brand Identity
An employer brand is as important as the product or service brand of your business. The purpose of a brand is to create unshakable faith. If you develop an extraordinary and aspirational brand as an employer, people will want to become part of it. If you live up tothat brand, the competition will not be able to touch you.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
The Inspired Work Program:
People from all walks of life have used The Inspired Work Program to create across-the-board breakthroughs in their entire relationship
towards work. Two transformative days lead you to all of your options and give you the environment to make new choices. For most of us, work consumes most of our waking hours. The Inspired Work Program is so powerful, it will positively impact your entire life.
- April 9 & 10 (Los Angeles)
- April 16 & 17 (New York)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inspired Presentations:
The one skill that is common to wildly success people is the ability to make a great presentation. Delivered by America's number one
presentation and media training company, Inspired Presentations will give you the skills to make comfortable and effective presentations
in front of a group or a camera. Participate in one day or both days. (Day One: Presentation Skills / Day Two: Media Training).
As of this printing, this program is half filled. Reserve your space today!
- May 21 & 22 (Los Angeles)
1801 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
P: (310) 277-4850
E: david@inspiredworkservices.com
http://www.inspiredworkservices.com/
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dianne Gubin on Increasing YOUR Value and Your Paycheck
One of my favorite career resources is Dianne Gubin,
She always share wide words and has many valuable connections.
Dianne is a woman who walks her talk and I highly recommend her firm. Patty DeDominic
Here are 5 Ways to Leverage Your Value in the Workplace
by Dianne Gubin
1) Make new friends. Join several professional networking groups in your industry.
2) Proactively develop and maintain a network of contacts outside of your core business. The best time to develop a professional network of people who will take your calls is before you need one.
3) Master your job to the expert level. Be known as the “go to” person. Be generous with your time and expertise.
4) Continue your education. Attend and finish college if you haven’t done so yet. For the duration of your career, take classes toward certifications and specializations, even if your company doesn’t pay for training.
5) If you’re seeking a position or greater status in your industry, attend the annual tradeshow in this space. Pay to play. Stay in the conference hotel, go to the seminars, and attend the gala dinner event. Be visible.
Most important, the connections you make and maintain today will be invaluable tomorrow.
Dianne Gubin & Associates
818.222.0300
http://www.diannegubin.com/
She always share wide words and has many valuable connections.
Dianne is a woman who walks her talk and I highly recommend her firm. Patty DeDominic
Here are 5 Ways to Leverage Your Value in the Workplace
by Dianne Gubin
1) Make new friends. Join several professional networking groups in your industry.
2) Proactively develop and maintain a network of contacts outside of your core business. The best time to develop a professional network of people who will take your calls is before you need one.
3) Master your job to the expert level. Be known as the “go to” person. Be generous with your time and expertise.
4) Continue your education. Attend and finish college if you haven’t done so yet. For the duration of your career, take classes toward certifications and specializations, even if your company doesn’t pay for training.
5) If you’re seeking a position or greater status in your industry, attend the annual tradeshow in this space. Pay to play. Stay in the conference hotel, go to the seminars, and attend the gala dinner event. Be visible.
Most important, the connections you make and maintain today will be invaluable tomorrow.
Dianne Gubin & Associates
818.222.0300
http://www.diannegubin.com/
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Leadership Tips from the International Women's Festival 2010
Emerging Leadership
By Dr. Astrid Sheil
At the 3rd Annual International Women's Festival Santa Barbara, California
The day has arrived and the Festival is a beehive of activity with women talking, learning, sharing, buying, and oh, did I mention talking? The energy is palpable in the convention hall. The opening plenary panel on leadership really delivered great information and tips on leadership to the attendees.
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, the president of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-California), which represents 1.4 million women entrepreneurs in the state of California, was the facilitator for the kick-off panel. Betsy, who has had a stellar career in public relations, executive search, and broadcasting, offered some powerful data from national research on women leaders and entrepreneurs. “All the data indicates our leadership is different from men,” she stated. “Women are more persuasive in their leadership. We use more nurturing ways to accomplish our goals. We are more willing to take risks and ignore the rules. There is a sense of optimism that women share.”
As Victoria Colligan, the founder of Ladies Who Launch, noted in her opening remarks, “There is no one way to do this, no one way to be successful. The best way to learn is to share our stories.” Victoria knows from which she speaks. As the founder of the first new media company to provide resources, inspiration and community to women entrepreneurs, Victoria has been instrumental in helping women realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Her advice to women, “Find someone to model. Find a mentor—someone who can help you collaborate and build relationships. This will help you move your business forward.”
Denita Willoughby, the vice president of AT&T, talked about how inspirational her mother has been throughout her life. Her first job in high school was as a bagger at Ralph’s Grocery store. Her mother told her, “No matter what you do, be the best you can be. If you approach it with passion and pride, you will be successful and doors will open for you.” Denita went on to be promoted quickly to several leadership positions before she even graduated from high school and later graduated from Harvard University. She is a mentor, a leader and member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Margo Day, vice president for small and midmarket solutions for Microsoft Corporation, told the crowd that the keys to success are having a passion for what you do, creating a strong brand, keeping your word, and being authentic with your customers. She said, “Be true to yourself and genuine with others. People will naturally gravitate to you and will want to follow you.”
The tips for successful leadership came fast and furiously. Betsy summed up the panelists’ comments by saying, “The gem of leadership is inside every woman. The key is finding it and getting others to recognize it.” To do this, she concluded, “Get involved, volunteer, and accept responsibility.”
Astrid Sheil, PhD is the president of Sheil & Associates, a public relations consultancy. She is also associate chair of the communication studies department at Cal State University San Bernardino, where she teaches public relations and social media. She is a member of the board of directors of the AndreSobel River of Life Foundation.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Celebrating Women
Celebrating Women
International Women's Festival in California on March 5 & 6 2010
www.womensfestivals.org
See the article on whole life times and enter for a chance to win a ticket
for yourself and a friend! Men and women are invited for a wonderful day
of celebrating the accomplishments and the potential of women.
International Women's Festival in California on March 5 & 6 2010
www.womensfestivals.org
See the article on whole life times and enter for a chance to win a ticket
for yourself and a friend! Men and women are invited for a wonderful day
of celebrating the accomplishments and the potential of women.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Armando Estrada and his son .... Appreciate Workers
A beautiful message by Father and Son,
Denny and Armando Estrada
: APPRECIATE WORKERS
The article below is from an email my Dad sent to me.
I did not see the television program, but he always
told me to treat the people who we think have the
lowest skills with respect. As an Army officer, there
is a saying that, “you should never make your soldiers
do what you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself”.
I know my buddy Manny Gallegos and I were once Privates in the Army before we became officers. We knew first hand on what we liked and disliked about our officers when we were Privates and I feel that we became better officers and were respected by our enlisted members due to our experience and “compassion”. We had more respect from our subordinates than those that became officers straight from college. We got the respect from them because we demonstrated the interest for their welfare. We know that they had the power to either make us look good or bad and we never forgot this. I think that perhaps if the top managers could sit for a week and perform the work that they demand from us, they would get a new appreciation of what we do for them.
Denny Estrada
P.S. My Dad was brought up very poor and lived in the “skid row” area growing up.
As a kid, my siblings and I would always make fun of him, behind his back of course,
that he exaggerated his low income upbringing. Having worked and visited this cluster,
I am glad that he worked hard to prevent us from experiencing the hardships he had to
endure. I now have a deeper appreciation for his hard work and sacrifice he made to
provide his family a better standard of living. My Dad had his faults, but working hard
and demonstrating to us his work ethic was not one of them.
UNDER COVER BOSS:
02/22/2010 By Armando Estrada
Yesterday evening I watched a program on T.V. channel 2 titled “Undercover Boss”.
The President and CEO of a Company actually goes undercover and spends one week working as a new entry level employee for the Company. He does this at various Company locations without anyone at those locations knowing who he is. What the CEO discovers is what every CEO and management person should know – Front line employees, (those directly involved in doing the work), are the heart and soul of a Company and are a Company’s most valuable asset. A repeated comment of Sam Walton, WalMart’s founder was, “The person that can best tell you how to improve your Company is the stock clerk, cashier or even janitor; those on the front line of your Company.”
It’s tragic how this vital truth is almost totally ignored by too many Company CEO’s, management and supervision.
In my youth as I was striving to learn a trade, the doors to apprenticeship in most high paying trades were closed to me because of my minority Mexican nationality and the color of my skin. A friend got me into a slaughter house in Vernon, California as the “Bone Barrel Boy” on the grave yard shift. The people working grave yard were treated like “forgotten, non-existent no-bodies.” We were screamed at, cussed at and shown no appreciation or respect for the work that we did, (work that most people would not or could not do). A book title “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair tells a harrowing but true story about the brutal treatment of workers at a slaughter house in 1906. I lived and went through “The Jungle.” This is why as a Human Resources Manager I treat workers with dignity, respect and an open mind, (especially production workers who work the grave yard shift).
There are many vital jobs that are carried out by committed workers who do their jobs from their heart more so than for the pay. We need to do everything possible to back, support and appreciate them. If we do this the positive results will be astounding.
In closing, workers who are confident because they are given ownership in their jobs, are properly trained, motivated, encouraged, supported, appreciated and work as a team will make even a poor system work like a fine tuned watch.
If you are in Los Angeles, please tune in to channel 2 Sunday at 9:00 P.M.
and watch “Undercover Boss.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
Go See Them In Person! Patty DeDominic on How to Nail the Job Offers
So You Want the Job Offer ............eh?
All the employment fundamentals continue their aftershocks of the 2009 Global Recession. Some have called this time Economic QuickSand and I am sadly beginning to agree with them.
All is not lost however. There are still some timeless techniques that can help you step out ahead of the competition even when there are hundreds of others emailing their resumes.
First, get a grip on the reality. It's a crowded job hunting market out there. Even for local jobs at just above minimum wage, there can be dozens of competitors applying for every opening. The better paying or jobs with highly coveted employers, when they do get advertised might get hundreds of responses and the employer has to sort through all the letters, resumes and autoresponses sent out by some of these career advisory services. Most employers can spot the resumes that are sent out on auto pilot however and most, if not all get rejected as non personalized unless the skill set needed is highly specialized and key words are used. So the advice I want to give you today is not for the rocket scientist...but for the everyday people who would like to work as part of a team, in an office or with a not for profit organization or government. Get proactive...and get on your walking shoes too!
Tap into the Hidden Job Market! Ask your friends for leads, referrals and introductions. The Hidden Job Market is alive and well. It's just that, hidden, those job leads or openings are rarely found on craig's list or in the newspapers or on other job boards. In the Hidden Job Market most jobs never get advertised.....they get filled by friends and friends of friends. That's where YOU'd like to get your warm job leads and introductions.....before the opening hits the internet!
Cultivate your "Pro-personal" Network (professional contacts you are integrating into your personal network) Having a large personal network of folks who have experience working with you is a real asset. That asset can be turned into one of your secret weapons in your job search tool kit. Today it seems that almost all business environments are looking more and more like the model of the entertainment industry where people survive from gig to gig!
We can't really fight this trend. And Hollywood has been surviving, some even thriving, in that type of "what have you done lately" environment for decades. It's tough...and definitely survival of the fittest but it works... just ask any working actor or celebrity today!
Your Good Will and last performance have a great deal to do with getting called back in the future.
This is a such a tough job market, that it will help you if you understand that the fruit will only go to the "survivors" of the smarter, swifter job hunters!
Job Banks, One Stops and recruiters will help all they can but you will have to take matters into your own hands....and into your own shoe leather!
Go and meet the employers and ASK FOR THE JOB IN PERSON. This time tested method has worked for hundreds of years. It is working in local neighborhoods today and it used to be the ONLY way people got jobs in years past.
YOUR part is to be relentless in following up on job leads and to meet as many people as YOU possibly can in person. They say “possession” is 9/10th of the law…and I have definitely seen people who show up getting the jobs.
It got me to offer someone a job just a few weeks ago..and it got me job offers decades ago.... so it is still a proven way to get employment.
So go meet with that person you called or emailed about the job you are dogging down. That might be a real long shot, but you just never know. S/he is probably buried in emails and people who want to get noticed, all who want a job. YOU GO THERE if you can..... and you show them that you can make it easy for them to hire YOU..... Perhaps s/he could use your skill set..... and s/he will gladly stop the hunt and accept YOUR OFFER to help. Try it.... it still works!
Patty DeDominic
Santa Barbara and Los Angeles based Coach for High Achieving professionals and organizations.
http://www.dedominic.com/
http://www.thenewnewworldofwork.com/
ps... if you would like a copy of the book shown above, Harry Says, Boss Talk Without the Warm Fuzzies, please write to me at patty@dedominic.com and put Harry says in the subject line. We will be happy to mail a copy to you in the USA for free if you ask for it before March 30, 2010. One book per person please as my supplies are limited. THX!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Expert Patty DeDominic, Tips on Getting a Pay Raise in a Tough Economy
I am a career and executive Coach who owned a staffing firm and an executive placement business for over 25 years. You know my blog, http://www.thenewnewworldofwork.com/ and my consulting firm is DeDominic & Associates, located in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara California. We serve clients in the USA and around the world. http://www.dedominic.com/
DeDominic's Quick Tips on Getting the Raise in this Tough Economy
1. Prepare yourself and be ready to make your “business case” not your hardship case.
Sadly, no one is going to be able to pay you more just because your needs are greater, the price of gas is still through the roof or your relatives need an operation. There are over ten million Americans in that latter boat now…unemployed or severely underemployed and those reasons while being valid are not sufficient to get YOUR PAY and Respect levels raised.
2. Make an Appointment with your boss to discuss “business opportunities”. Try not to be coy, but don’t tell that you want a pay raise just yet. Let your boss know that you would like to talk about “our best opportunities” for creating more revenue or cutting costs as well as get some input on his or her perception of your performance. After you get the lay of the land with regard to their perception of your contributions and your “report card” you will be in a better position to ask for a salary adjustment. Note, I said Adjustment, not a raise.
3. At the 2nd or third meeting with your boss on the subjects suggested above, bring up your perspective (without going on the offensive or being on the defensive) about your Contributions to the value of the business or department.
4. Remember that getting a raise in 2010 and beyond is going to be more about “making contributions” and sharing in some of those opportunities than it is a cost of living increase or straight pay raise. Many salaries have been frozen in place for several years now and thousands of businesses have been able to hire new employees as 65-79% of the former starting salaries – so getting paid “like yesterday” is a thing of the past – for now.
Unfortunately it is no longer about how many hours you work…. Or how hard the work is, it is about your contributions to the margin….aka the profits or the reduction of expenses.
Employers in 2010 can only afford to pay for progress and contribution and no longer pay for loyalty or longevity.
5. After you have made a good case for the value of your contributions, ask for a PAY Adjustment to better reflect the contributions you are making and the results (you and your boss agree on) that have come due to your effectiveness and experience in your role. Chances are your boss has their “we are out of money” speech well practiced and they know how to put off an unprepared employee from asking for a raise….. but most supervisors, CEOs and executives know that it costs money to make money and INVESTMENTS is the people who really drive the revenue and the margins and costs for the business can pay off handsomely.
6. Don’t threaten to quit….but educate yourself and become aware of what the competition would be willing to pay for your talents and time. . If you know what the competition is and how you fit in to the bigger picture you automatically increase your value and your chances of getting the right kind of attention from your boss. You may not get your raise the first time you try this approach but you will eventually get better at it and you are likely to find yourself in the position of either getting more paid time off, increased responsibilities or opportunities and eventually a big pay increase If you cannot get the right pay raises where you are, it might pay off to do a little job shopping!
Following these tips will enable you to make a strong case for increased pay.
You will also make progress in understanding your own employer and their perspectives
and opinion of your contributions. Awareness and knowledge is valuable…… YOU can turn
Value into a bigger paycheck for yourself.
Patty DeDominic
DeDominic & Associates Coaches to High Achievers
www.thenewnewworldofwork.com
Patty De is past president of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and a veteran in the business of personnel placement. Her firms were national award winning staffing partner to such corporate giants as AT&T, USC, Children’s Hospitals, The American Red Cross, entrepreneurial businesses and governments. She has been trained in negotiations at Harvard University and got her Institutional Shareholders (ISS) Certification from UC Berkeley in 2008.
In 2006, the Los Angeles Business journal named DeDominic CEO of the Year at it’s annual Women Making A Difference Awards Luncheon
DeDominic's Quick Tips on Getting the Raise in this Tough Economy
1. Prepare yourself and be ready to make your “business case” not your hardship case.
Sadly, no one is going to be able to pay you more just because your needs are greater, the price of gas is still through the roof or your relatives need an operation. There are over ten million Americans in that latter boat now…unemployed or severely underemployed and those reasons while being valid are not sufficient to get YOUR PAY and Respect levels raised.
2. Make an Appointment with your boss to discuss “business opportunities”. Try not to be coy, but don’t tell that you want a pay raise just yet. Let your boss know that you would like to talk about “our best opportunities” for creating more revenue or cutting costs as well as get some input on his or her perception of your performance. After you get the lay of the land with regard to their perception of your contributions and your “report card” you will be in a better position to ask for a salary adjustment. Note, I said Adjustment, not a raise.
3. At the 2nd or third meeting with your boss on the subjects suggested above, bring up your perspective (without going on the offensive or being on the defensive) about your Contributions to the value of the business or department.
4. Remember that getting a raise in 2010 and beyond is going to be more about “making contributions” and sharing in some of those opportunities than it is a cost of living increase or straight pay raise. Many salaries have been frozen in place for several years now and thousands of businesses have been able to hire new employees as 65-79% of the former starting salaries – so getting paid “like yesterday” is a thing of the past – for now.
Unfortunately it is no longer about how many hours you work…. Or how hard the work is, it is about your contributions to the margin….aka the profits or the reduction of expenses.
Employers in 2010 can only afford to pay for progress and contribution and no longer pay for loyalty or longevity.
5. After you have made a good case for the value of your contributions, ask for a PAY Adjustment to better reflect the contributions you are making and the results (you and your boss agree on) that have come due to your effectiveness and experience in your role. Chances are your boss has their “we are out of money” speech well practiced and they know how to put off an unprepared employee from asking for a raise….. but most supervisors, CEOs and executives know that it costs money to make money and INVESTMENTS is the people who really drive the revenue and the margins and costs for the business can pay off handsomely.
6. Don’t threaten to quit….but educate yourself and become aware of what the competition would be willing to pay for your talents and time. . If you know what the competition is and how you fit in to the bigger picture you automatically increase your value and your chances of getting the right kind of attention from your boss. You may not get your raise the first time you try this approach but you will eventually get better at it and you are likely to find yourself in the position of either getting more paid time off, increased responsibilities or opportunities and eventually a big pay increase If you cannot get the right pay raises where you are, it might pay off to do a little job shopping!
Following these tips will enable you to make a strong case for increased pay.
You will also make progress in understanding your own employer and their perspectives
and opinion of your contributions. Awareness and knowledge is valuable…… YOU can turn
Value into a bigger paycheck for yourself.
Patty DeDominic
DeDominic & Associates Coaches to High Achievers
www.thenewnewworldofwork.com
Patty De is past president of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and a veteran in the business of personnel placement. Her firms were national award winning staffing partner to such corporate giants as AT&T, USC, Children’s Hospitals, The American Red Cross, entrepreneurial businesses and governments. She has been trained in negotiations at Harvard University and got her Institutional Shareholders (ISS) Certification from UC Berkeley in 2008.
In 2006, the Los Angeles Business journal named DeDominic CEO of the Year at it’s annual Women Making A Difference Awards Luncheon
Monday, February 1, 2010
Leadership Tip from Robert Whipple, MBA CPLP
Little known Leadership Tip
Maybe this leadership tip is in a book somewhere, but I have not run into it yet. There is a mistake that I have seen most leaders make multiple times and not realize the damage they are doing to their credibility. It has to do with the delicate time when a leader is assigned a new position and moves into a new area interfacing with different people. The first few days are critical and set the stage for how smoothly (or not) the transition goes. All signals sent during the first days and weeks are important as both the leader and the new constituents learn how to work together.
For illustration, let’s say our leader has just been promoted from the Printing Department into the Assembly Department. The new job is in a new physical area and has a different set of people involved. The old leader has retired and left the scene, and our new leader has just brought in the first few boxes of possessions to set up his office. He is cordial to everyone and believes he is off to a great start. This is an important job for the new leader, and he wants to carry on the fine team enthusiasm he was able to accomplish in the Printing Department.
During the first couple days, he attends the normal production meetings. He frequently mentions how delighted he is to now be working in the Assembly Department. When a manager is discussing a safety issue, the new leader offers something like this, “We had the same problem over in the Printing Department, and what we did was set up a sub-team to come up with some excellent recommendations. That saved a lot of time because it could be done off line by a small group rather than have a bunch of meetings with everyone present.” People in the meeting listened intently and nodded appreciatively that there was a fresh idea.
The next day, the leader was discussing the financial closing information and seemed a little uncomfortable. He said, “In the Printing Department we always just showed the data in chart form so everyone could grasp the information easily.” Two hours later he was saying “In the Printing area we had special monitors to ensure the place was cleaned up well before we went home.” You get the idea.
All of the ideas and policies our new leader brought up during the first two weeks were logical and helpful. Nobody in the organization would dare question why they should do these things that the leader brought from the Printing Department. However, by the end of two weeks, this new leader was so far behind the eight ball emotionally with people that it would take nearly a year to get people to really respect and trust him. Why? He was just too forthright with his innocent suggestions for improvements based on his experience in the prior job.
There is an antidote to this common problem. When I would promote or move a manager, I would ask him or her to refer to the prior job only one time in public. Once that chit was played, I suggested the new leader refrain from other references for at least 2 months. This gave the new leader the opportunity to appreciate the good things that were being done in the new area before giving a lot of suggestions for them to be more like his old area. The people never knew the difference; they just seemed to like the new guy quite a lot.
Robert Whipple MBA, CPLP
CEO Leadergrow, Inc.
"The TRUST Ambassador"
585-392-7763
E-mail bwhipple@leadergrow.com
BLOG www.thetrustambassador.com
Website www.leadergrow.com
Maybe this leadership tip is in a book somewhere, but I have not run into it yet. There is a mistake that I have seen most leaders make multiple times and not realize the damage they are doing to their credibility. It has to do with the delicate time when a leader is assigned a new position and moves into a new area interfacing with different people. The first few days are critical and set the stage for how smoothly (or not) the transition goes. All signals sent during the first days and weeks are important as both the leader and the new constituents learn how to work together.
For illustration, let’s say our leader has just been promoted from the Printing Department into the Assembly Department. The new job is in a new physical area and has a different set of people involved. The old leader has retired and left the scene, and our new leader has just brought in the first few boxes of possessions to set up his office. He is cordial to everyone and believes he is off to a great start. This is an important job for the new leader, and he wants to carry on the fine team enthusiasm he was able to accomplish in the Printing Department.
During the first couple days, he attends the normal production meetings. He frequently mentions how delighted he is to now be working in the Assembly Department. When a manager is discussing a safety issue, the new leader offers something like this, “We had the same problem over in the Printing Department, and what we did was set up a sub-team to come up with some excellent recommendations. That saved a lot of time because it could be done off line by a small group rather than have a bunch of meetings with everyone present.” People in the meeting listened intently and nodded appreciatively that there was a fresh idea.
The next day, the leader was discussing the financial closing information and seemed a little uncomfortable. He said, “In the Printing Department we always just showed the data in chart form so everyone could grasp the information easily.” Two hours later he was saying “In the Printing area we had special monitors to ensure the place was cleaned up well before we went home.” You get the idea.
All of the ideas and policies our new leader brought up during the first two weeks were logical and helpful. Nobody in the organization would dare question why they should do these things that the leader brought from the Printing Department. However, by the end of two weeks, this new leader was so far behind the eight ball emotionally with people that it would take nearly a year to get people to really respect and trust him. Why? He was just too forthright with his innocent suggestions for improvements based on his experience in the prior job.
There is an antidote to this common problem. When I would promote or move a manager, I would ask him or her to refer to the prior job only one time in public. Once that chit was played, I suggested the new leader refrain from other references for at least 2 months. This gave the new leader the opportunity to appreciate the good things that were being done in the new area before giving a lot of suggestions for them to be more like his old area. The people never knew the difference; they just seemed to like the new guy quite a lot.
Robert Whipple MBA, CPLP
CEO Leadergrow, Inc.
"The TRUST Ambassador"
585-392-7763
E-mail bwhipple@leadergrow.com
BLOG www.thetrustambassador.com
Website www.leadergrow.com
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Interview's Password to their Private Club by Dr. Adele Scheele
The Interview's Password to their Private Club
The real question that most interviewers yearn to ask is off-limits.
They want to know if you are enough like them to admit you to their
very private and exclusive club. The process is like rushing for a
fraternity or sorority; the admissions committee has a radar selector
for who can join. Those who are rejected never learn exactly why.
Too bad we can't witness this acceptance and rejection process to
see for ourselves who wins and the reasons why.
Obviously, interviewers can't ask you if you really fit into their club,
so they substitute questions which they hope will reveal whether or not you belong. And your answer to their masked questions has to be "Yes, I am just like you! Let me tell you how." And then you choose from your life story only that which is a good match for them.
I know you are thinking No! In the workplace we need a variety of talents and a diversity of personalities. Take note: there is always a company culture. And you need to fit in to be accepted.
The following Questions and Tips (Q/T) show how you might go about gaining admission:
Q. Tell us about yourself.
T. You could start chronologically, from when you were the youngest, dumbest and least experienced and work up to the present. But first impressions count. Don't overlook that.
Mentally arrange your work history into meaningful categories that match what you know about your potential employers. If they value team spirit, then you might lead with your group activities, projects, or prior experiences from work or school.
Be willing to adopt their interests. If you know the organization contributes heavily to United Way, don't argue that another charity is the better way. If they have a company softball game, now is not the time to announce your sports-aversion. Does this sound too much like kissing up? Well, if they speak French, and you do too, wouldn't you reference France or make a nice turn of phrase, n'est-ce pas? You'd be a saboteur if you didn't. C'est la vie!
Q. Why do you want to work here?
T. You cannot say you need the money; your spouse is unemployed; your mortgage is worth more than your house; the company is so close by. Not a one. Even if all these reasons are true, you can't mention any one of them. Even your skills at face value aren't enough. You must demonstrate how they would add value specifically to the employer.
Hint: If you were in the employer's shoes with a roomful of candidates, would you want to hire someone who just wants to be paid, someone for whom it is merely convenient, someone who is biding time until a better offer comes along, someone desperate who may not even care about the work itself? Nope. You'd hire the one who can not only improve the organization but also has the enthusiasm to actually do so just the way you'd like it done.
So, are you like them enough for them to want you? Even if you don't think you are, it doesn't really matter. You need to present yourself as if you do. No, I'm not advocating that you should become a clone, just a whole lot more politically savvy if you want to get hired.
Make your luck happen!
Dr Adele
DrAdele.com
The real question that most interviewers yearn to ask is off-limits.
They want to know if you are enough like them to admit you to their
very private and exclusive club. The process is like rushing for a
fraternity or sorority; the admissions committee has a radar selector
for who can join. Those who are rejected never learn exactly why.
Too bad we can't witness this acceptance and rejection process to
see for ourselves who wins and the reasons why.
Obviously, interviewers can't ask you if you really fit into their club,
so they substitute questions which they hope will reveal whether or not you belong. And your answer to their masked questions has to be "Yes, I am just like you! Let me tell you how." And then you choose from your life story only that which is a good match for them.
I know you are thinking No! In the workplace we need a variety of talents and a diversity of personalities. Take note: there is always a company culture. And you need to fit in to be accepted.
The following Questions and Tips (Q/T) show how you might go about gaining admission:
Q. Tell us about yourself.
T. You could start chronologically, from when you were the youngest, dumbest and least experienced and work up to the present. But first impressions count. Don't overlook that.
Mentally arrange your work history into meaningful categories that match what you know about your potential employers. If they value team spirit, then you might lead with your group activities, projects, or prior experiences from work or school.
Be willing to adopt their interests. If you know the organization contributes heavily to United Way, don't argue that another charity is the better way. If they have a company softball game, now is not the time to announce your sports-aversion. Does this sound too much like kissing up? Well, if they speak French, and you do too, wouldn't you reference France or make a nice turn of phrase, n'est-ce pas? You'd be a saboteur if you didn't. C'est la vie!
Q. Why do you want to work here?
T. You cannot say you need the money; your spouse is unemployed; your mortgage is worth more than your house; the company is so close by. Not a one. Even if all these reasons are true, you can't mention any one of them. Even your skills at face value aren't enough. You must demonstrate how they would add value specifically to the employer.
Hint: If you were in the employer's shoes with a roomful of candidates, would you want to hire someone who just wants to be paid, someone for whom it is merely convenient, someone who is biding time until a better offer comes along, someone desperate who may not even care about the work itself? Nope. You'd hire the one who can not only improve the organization but also has the enthusiasm to actually do so just the way you'd like it done.
So, are you like them enough for them to want you? Even if you don't think you are, it doesn't really matter. You need to present yourself as if you do. No, I'm not advocating that you should become a clone, just a whole lot more politically savvy if you want to get hired.
Make your luck happen!
Dr Adele
DrAdele.com
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Volunteering until your ship comes in! by Patty DeDominic
Waiting for your Ship to Come in?
Don't just sit there in the shore watching the skyline..... you've got to launch ships in order to get a return! Try volunteering as a great way to cultivate connections and get your career sailing again.
Mrs. Fields did it......
Barak Obama did it.....
Patty DeDominic still does it and it never fails..... that's giving people a chance to get to know you by volunteering. In Mrs. Field's case the story goes that she sampled her wonderful tasting and smelling cookies and people just got hooked. President Obama, no stranger to campaigning, worked on several campaigns and helped build a number of important not for profit organizations and waited "patiently on standby" to learn if he would be invited to speak (for free) at the Democratic National Convention years ago.
Just this week we have referred two fabulous interns and volunteers out to others for paying work! Why wouldn't we? We have already had a chance to get "free samples" of the skills, attitude and work ethic of some great people because of our community involvement.
Can volunteering suck up a lot of time with no payoff? Well, yes, you will need to carefully share yourself on causes you are passionate about and work to be strategic about where you volunteer your time. If you focus on skill and network building and sharing your passions and gifts the this is where you will have the best leverage for future work. You will want to craft your messaging. It is OK to tell people that you are volunteering right now to keep your skills strong and fresh and to meet new people to generate job offers. Not all organizations will help you get a new job....but many will and you can taylor how you spend your time to the ones which seem to have the most likely connections for yourself.
Seek mentors in the workplace...and at the places you volunteers. People love to help winners and those who give of their time and treasure and their talents are usually viewed as real winners.
Let your mentor know what your next job goals are desired introductions are. When you let people know, it is like sending out your ships! If you don't send out any ships... it is going to be hard for your "ship to come in".
Volunteers of America, http://www.voa.org/ can help you find the right opportunities for yourself if you don't already "work" at your local favorite charity or organization.
Here's what they say about Why people volunteer:
Beside the fact that more and more Americans are being drawn to community service in response to our President’s call to action, people inherently unite in times of real need―especially when we share a common struggle. The financial crisis in the fall of 2008 hit our country hard, resulting in a disastrous housing market, thousands of lost jobs and the closing of many businesses. This turn of events had grave impact on so many, and yet Americans still pulled together to find a way to help each other―through volunteerism.
How Do We Know This?
As a 113-year-old human service organization that offers volunteer opportunities through thousands of programs, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities in 44 states. Through our ministry of service, we support and empower America’s most vulnerable groups. And although the concept of volunteering is not unique to Volunteers of America, it has had dramatic ties to the roots of our organization. Last year alone, more than 70,000 volunteers sought to serve their fellow Americans through both episodic and long-term community engagement with Volunteers of America.
Consider investing in yourself.... with Volunteers of America http://www.voa.org/
Mrs. Fields did it......
Barak Obama did it.....
Patty DeDominic still does it and it never fails..... that's giving people a chance to get to know you by volunteering. In Mrs. Field's case the story goes that she sampled her wonderful tasting and smelling cookies and people just got hooked. President Obama, no stranger to campaigning, worked on several campaigns and helped build a number of important not for profit organizations and waited "patiently on standby" to learn if he would be invited to speak (for free) at the Democratic National Convention years ago.
Just this week we have referred two fabulous interns and volunteers out to others for paying work! Why wouldn't we? We have already had a chance to get "free samples" of the skills, attitude and work ethic of some great people because of our community involvement.
Can volunteering suck up a lot of time with no payoff? Well, yes, you will need to carefully share yourself on causes you are passionate about and work to be strategic about where you volunteer your time. If you focus on skill and network building and sharing your passions and gifts the this is where you will have the best leverage for future work. You will want to craft your messaging. It is OK to tell people that you are volunteering right now to keep your skills strong and fresh and to meet new people to generate job offers. Not all organizations will help you get a new job....but many will and you can taylor how you spend your time to the ones which seem to have the most likely connections for yourself.
Seek mentors in the workplace...and at the places you volunteers. People love to help winners and those who give of their time and treasure and their talents are usually viewed as real winners.
Let your mentor know what your next job goals are desired introductions are. When you let people know, it is like sending out your ships! If you don't send out any ships... it is going to be hard for your "ship to come in".
Volunteers of America, http://www.voa.org/ can help you find the right opportunities for yourself if you don't already "work" at your local favorite charity or organization.
Here's what they say about Why people volunteer:
Beside the fact that more and more Americans are being drawn to community service in response to our President’s call to action, people inherently unite in times of real need―especially when we share a common struggle. The financial crisis in the fall of 2008 hit our country hard, resulting in a disastrous housing market, thousands of lost jobs and the closing of many businesses. This turn of events had grave impact on so many, and yet Americans still pulled together to find a way to help each other―through volunteerism.
How Do We Know This?
As a 113-year-old human service organization that offers volunteer opportunities through thousands of programs, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities in 44 states. Through our ministry of service, we support and empower America’s most vulnerable groups. And although the concept of volunteering is not unique to Volunteers of America, it has had dramatic ties to the roots of our organization. Last year alone, more than 70,000 volunteers sought to serve their fellow Americans through both episodic and long-term community engagement with Volunteers of America.
Consider investing in yourself.... with Volunteers of America http://www.voa.org/
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Go For the Offer Patty DeDominic on the 2010 Job Market
Go For the Offer, Create Your Own Future
I haven't met anyone with a real crystal ball....but I sure have met quite a few people who invest time imagining the future and then working to create the one they want to make happen.
Today I want to share the experience with an job candidate I'll call "Roger". (made up name to protect the candidate identity) This young man exemplified everything the most professional job seeker could do to "go for the offer". He was a shining example of a true gentleman and is someone who made a lasting impression on me, and I am sure on others he comes in contact with.
Roger was applying for a position with the International Women's Festival. That position turned out to be a temporary one.. which might turn into full time at a later date. But for the next few months it is part time and could end in March of this year. " Roger" responded to a notice we posted on Craig's List for an executive assistant and office manager. "Roger" had all the office skills we had requested and he had more than what was expected in the enthusiasm department. He followed up with a phone call to arrange his appointment and had followed the email-your-resume instructions to a "T". He did a quick written follow up... nothing nagging or desperet sounding, just a professional "ping" to make sure he stayed in our radar.
He Got the invite to the interview..... first a phone screen then an in person meeting. First Base, the hoped-for call back.
He showed up to his interview on time with a most positive attitude.
When asked about his office skills and experience he responded positively with a confident smile and with some specific examples of his past experience and how he could help with some of our important projects. He had done his homework and had combed the Women's Festivals website and he had done some background on the people he was interviewing with. Now Roger did not have much experience in putting on a major women's empowerment conference but he did not let that stop him.... he had been involved in conferences before, he also talked about his other transferable skills like organizing, follow up and computer spreadsheets, tracking and trouble shooting - all skills that are needed by this employer.
Roger exhibited the most positive "assumed consent" attitude that is so important in today's job market. With out being over confident, he expressed a positive outlook and his words expressed in every way his desire to become a member of the team.
During the interview he asked questions...not too many, but plenty when he was asked if he had any. Roger asked about earnings potential for the future, he asked about hours, dress expectations, overtime and other conditions which an informed professional would be expected to know. Without being too pushy he "qualified us" and learned as much as he could about the longer term potential and the short term opportunity.
Roger got the job offer....... and was given a day or two to think it over. After due consideration he was pondering another offer which offered full time, "permanent" employment which he felt would turn into a more positive career path for himself.
One of the things I want you to take away from this is that he kept the conversations most positivie and "went for the offer" He received an offer of part time, temporary employment and even though it was not the ideal he was most gracious and when it came time to determine GO or NO GO.. he came to meet with me in person to thank me for the offer!
In the end, Roger decided to accept one of the other offers which also received that week. We aren't going to benefit by his experience (at the time) on this particular project... but he sure did leave the most positive of impressions. When he told me that he had decided to accept the other offer and not ours, he did so with a smile and sincere appreciate for the time invested in his as a serious candidate for the job.
Roger left a lasting impression. We are quite sure the he is going to be extremely successful as he continues to build his career and his network. He went for the offer... he got it but he also knew how to gracefully accept the offer which appeared to better meet his career needs at this time.
You can bet, we'll always be taking his calls and his referrals. And we can only hope that this employer also left a positive impression on this professional young man - as we definitely want him to accept our calls in the future! Roger.. and all of you men and women out there... go for it.. Create your own future... and keep those doors open.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Job and Career Questions? JOB Fair in Santa Barbara Patty DeDominic
Calling all Career Resources and Employers!!
There will be career resources and a special Job Fair area--at the
California Women's Festival on March 5 & 6, 2010 in Santa Barbara.
If you would like to register, please visit http://www.womensfestivals.org/
Scholarships are available if you apply on line and request a scholarship due to financial need.
Special Student rate of only $25.00
EMPLOYERS please consider attending and talking to outstanding California Job Candidates:
For more information please fill our the exhibitor form
Put "Employer" on your application for a 20% discount. If you apply and pay prior to February 2, 2010.
Patty DeDominic invites you to get up close and personal with inspiring resources and connections which can make a world of difference in your career. This Career Fair and Conference is open to men and women from all over the USA with special emphasis on Southern California.
Meet representatives from the National Association of Women Business Owners http://www.nawbo.org/ SCORE, free counseling for those who wish to start or expand their businesses; UCSB Career Center and UCSB Women's Center; Girls Inc, Women's Economic Ventures; Green2gold.org; Future Women CEOs;
Conference and Job Fair is open to men and women of all ages.
Earl Warren ShowGrounds
Friday March 5, 2010 4-8 PM
Saturday March 6, 2010 8-6pm
This conference is co sponsored by community leaders, not profit organizations and private corporations including AT&T, Wells Fargo Bank, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, Ricoh-USA, Christie Communications, The Weidemann Foundation, Gold, global organization for leadership and diversity & DeDominic & Associates. Event produced by Patty DeDominic
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
7 Ways to Spot Tommorow's Trends Today..... The World Futurist Society
7 Ways to Spot Tomorrow’s Trends Today
In the more than 40 years since the World Future Society was founded, futurists have developed a range of techniques to study the future. Here are a few techniques futurist use to spot new opportunities and potential problems. These methods give individuals and organizations an edge to help them succeed in a fast-changing world:
1.Scan the Media to Identify Trends—Futurists often conduct an ongoing and systematic surveys of news media and research institutes. These surveys help spot significant trends and technology breakthroughs. Futurists call this environmental scanning.
2.Analyze and Extrapolate Trends—After the trends are identified, the next step is to plot the trends to show their direction and development into the future. Trend analysis and extrapolation can show the nature, causes, speed, and potential impacts of trends.
3.Develop Scenarios—Futurists often describe the future development of a trend, a strategy, or a wild-card event in story form. These scenarios can paint a vivid picture that can help you visualize possible future developments and show how you can prepare effectively for future risks and opportunities. Scenarios help you to blend what you know about the future with imagination about the uncertain. Scenarios help you move from dreaming to planning and then to accomplishment.
4.Ask Groups of Experts—Futurists also conduct “Delphi Polls” which are carefully structured surveys of experts. Polling a wide range of experts in a given field can yield accurate forecasts and suggestions for action.
5.Use Computer Modeling—Futurists often use computer models to simulate the behavior of a complex system under a variety of conditions. For example, a model of the U.S. economy might show the effects of a 10 percent increase in taxes.
6.Explore Possibilities with Simulations—Futurists create simulations of a real-world situations by means of humans playing different roles. For example, in war games, generals test out tactics they may later use on the battlefield, or corporate executives can explore the possible results of competitive strategies.
7.Create the Vision—Futurists help organizations and individuals systematically develop visions of a desirable future. Visioning creates the big picture of the possibilities and prepares the way for goal setting and planning.
Each issue of THE FUTURIST brings you the results of the work of leading futurists from around the world.
You can also discover how to use these techniques yourself in your business and personal life. We’ve prepared a special report that shows how to use these and other futurist techniques. It’s called The Art of Foresight: Preparing for a Changing World. This report will show you how to use futurist techniques to prepare realistically and creatively for success in your personal and professional life. You can get a copy FREE with an introductory membership in the World Future Society.
Join the World Future Society today
http://www.wfs.org/forecasts/index.html#memberapp
In the more than 40 years since the World Future Society was founded, futurists have developed a range of techniques to study the future. Here are a few techniques futurist use to spot new opportunities and potential problems. These methods give individuals and organizations an edge to help them succeed in a fast-changing world:
1.Scan the Media to Identify Trends—Futurists often conduct an ongoing and systematic surveys of news media and research institutes. These surveys help spot significant trends and technology breakthroughs. Futurists call this environmental scanning.
2.Analyze and Extrapolate Trends—After the trends are identified, the next step is to plot the trends to show their direction and development into the future. Trend analysis and extrapolation can show the nature, causes, speed, and potential impacts of trends.
3.Develop Scenarios—Futurists often describe the future development of a trend, a strategy, or a wild-card event in story form. These scenarios can paint a vivid picture that can help you visualize possible future developments and show how you can prepare effectively for future risks and opportunities. Scenarios help you to blend what you know about the future with imagination about the uncertain. Scenarios help you move from dreaming to planning and then to accomplishment.
4.Ask Groups of Experts—Futurists also conduct “Delphi Polls” which are carefully structured surveys of experts. Polling a wide range of experts in a given field can yield accurate forecasts and suggestions for action.
5.Use Computer Modeling—Futurists often use computer models to simulate the behavior of a complex system under a variety of conditions. For example, a model of the U.S. economy might show the effects of a 10 percent increase in taxes.
6.Explore Possibilities with Simulations—Futurists create simulations of a real-world situations by means of humans playing different roles. For example, in war games, generals test out tactics they may later use on the battlefield, or corporate executives can explore the possible results of competitive strategies.
7.Create the Vision—Futurists help organizations and individuals systematically develop visions of a desirable future. Visioning creates the big picture of the possibilities and prepares the way for goal setting and planning.
Each issue of THE FUTURIST brings you the results of the work of leading futurists from around the world.
You can also discover how to use these techniques yourself in your business and personal life. We’ve prepared a special report that shows how to use these and other futurist techniques. It’s called The Art of Foresight: Preparing for a Changing World. This report will show you how to use futurist techniques to prepare realistically and creatively for success in your personal and professional life. You can get a copy FREE with an introductory membership in the World Future Society.
Join the World Future Society today
http://www.wfs.org/forecasts/index.html#memberapp
Sunday, January 3, 2010
HR Watches the Office, Comments by Patty DeDominic
HR Watches THE OFFICE
When the company might be imploding
Hosted by Matt Dubno, Originally published on December 18th, 2009
Listen now:HR Watches the Office Hulu Video
Standard Podcast [16:25m]:
Dunder Mifflin is in major financial trouble and the company is now being sold. According to CFO David Wallace, he and all the other executives are going to be canned, but the Scranton office will be okay. However, in tough times, you never know what can happen. A bad economy and corporate restructuring can lead to any number of possibilities.
For any professional, the chance of losing one’s job requires preparation for the future. For the HR team of any transitioning company, each HR professional has to look out for their personal career while maintaining responsibilities within their current crashing company. It’s a tough circumstance.
In this episode we talk with career coach and veteran business manager Patty DeDominic, founder and president of the specialized consulting group DeDominic & Associates. We’ll discuss what Dunder Mifflin employees, real-life professionals, and HR teams can do to make the best out of a really bad situation.
Matt
Patty DeDominic's Comments on What To Do Next!
“It’s a Christmas miracle!”
When the company might be imploding
Hosted by Matt Dubno, Originally published on December 18th, 2009
Listen now:HR Watches the Office Hulu Video
Standard Podcast [16:25m]:
Dunder Mifflin is in major financial trouble and the company is now being sold. According to CFO David Wallace, he and all the other executives are going to be canned, but the Scranton office will be okay. However, in tough times, you never know what can happen. A bad economy and corporate restructuring can lead to any number of possibilities.
For any professional, the chance of losing one’s job requires preparation for the future. For the HR team of any transitioning company, each HR professional has to look out for their personal career while maintaining responsibilities within their current crashing company. It’s a tough circumstance.
In this episode we talk with career coach and veteran business manager Patty DeDominic, founder and president of the specialized consulting group DeDominic & Associates. We’ll discuss what Dunder Mifflin employees, real-life professionals, and HR teams can do to make the best out of a really bad situation.
Matt
Patty DeDominic's Comments on What To Do Next!
“It’s a Christmas miracle!”
Cassandra Lee on Your Successful New Year's Resolutions
The Difference Is In Your Follow Up....... Accomplishing Your New Year's Resolutions
It is our tradition to make resolutions at the start of the new year.
When the count down ends and January 1st begins, we start proclaiming
the things we will do in the new year that will make us better, wealthier,
stronger, healthier, smarter, kinder, and wise.
We tell ourselves such resolutions as, "This year, I will lose weight."
"I will find a new job this year." "It is my goal to go back to school this year."
"My New Year's resolution is to stop smoking."
"20__ is the year I will save $300 a month."
Our resolutions - which are personal to us - run the gamut of wants and desires from saving money, to losing weight, to changing careers, and even to finding love.
The interesting thing about resolutions is that once we make them, most of us don't keep them.
Studies have shown that less than 20% of people polled in resolution studies actually achieve their desired resolutions.
Why is it that we don't have the follow-through to keep our resolutions?
What can we do to keep the promises we make to ourselves in the new year?
How can we position ourselves to achieve our resolutions?
Since Oprah has dedicated the first week of this month to teaching millions how to live their best life in the areas of health, finances, and spiritual growth, I have decided to dedicate my first article of the new year to teaching millions how to live their best life when it comes to making and keeping New Year's resolutions.
Below you will find strategies that I have found helpful with assisting me with making and keeping my New Year's resolutions. Each strategy will help you to position yourself to actually achieve the resolutions you've set..
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
First, I suggest that you change your perspective on New Year's resolutions. If you change your perspective on what a New Year's resolution really is - you will then begin to keep your resolutions more consistently.
I recommend that you look at resolutions as a goal.
By definition, a New Year's resolution is "a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous." For some
of you, although you know the lifestyle change you have committed to make over the next 365 days
will be advantageous to your lives, again, most of you will fail to stay committed and follow-through
on the resolution until the end of the year. Don't feel bad, I've been there and done that, too.
I think about my New Year's resolution for 2008, for instance. I had ended 2007 by making the New Year's resolution to put my thoughts into words and share them with others at least twice a month during 2008. I had a monthly newsletter that I had created in 2007 and I wanted to stay committed to writing an article and posting it to my Website no later than the 5th of every month.
I also had a blog that I had started but was not really utilizing. I made the New Year's resolution to put my thoughts into words at least once a week and to share them with others using the blog as a way to become savvy with using a new form of technology and to improve my habit of writing on a more frequent basis.
Did I actually do any of this in 2008? NO! As a matter of fact, when January 5, 2008 came and went, I still had not put the finishing touches on my monthly article. With this realization, I panicked because I believed that I was breaking my New Year's resolution. "What is wrong with me?", I kept asking myself for weeks, as if this question was going to jump start me into action and help me get my articles written and posted onto my Website, blog, or even EzineArticles.com.
January quickly turned into March, which then turned into July, and from there it became October, and the next thing I knew, it was a completely New Year again and I still had not posted any articles anywhere.
However, something interesting happened to me as the months moved along. I began to let go of the guilt of not succeeding at my New Year's resolution. I also began to appreciate the strides I made toward completing simple steps associated with my resolution. Even though I had missed the chance to fulfill my New Year's resolution of posting my articles, I did commit to the action of writing my thoughts on the page. In reality, I had failed to follow-through on the New Year's resolution, but I had succeeded at the goal of writing.
Once I changed my perspective to see New Year's resolutions as nothing but a goal,
I began to operate differently - mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I revised my resolution for 2008 into a goal where I told myself that my goal was to write my thoughts on the page whenever a thought worth writing entered into my mind. This goal became easier to keep. There was less stress on me to accomplish it. Amazingly, over time, I made progress.
SET A PLAN
Second, I suggest that you set a plan for achieving the goal in order to make and keep your resolutions.
A plan is nothing more than a set of actual steps (tasks) you complete toward the achievement of your goal.
Think about what your goal (resolution) is and then consider the action steps you will need to complete in order to make progress toward achieving it.
For my revised resolution (goal), my plan became to write whenever thoughts worth writing entered into my mind. That was simple enough for me to follow-through on because I found that the thoughts prompted me to act.
OBTAIN THE RIGHT RESOURCES
Third, I suggest that you obtain the right resources that will allow you to follow-through and achieve your goals.
Take into consideration what you have determined as the goal you will achieve in the New Year and what resources you will need in order to achieve that goal. Is it new workout equipment? Will you need a financial planner? Do you know the type of job site you must join? What type of bank account will you need? Which school will offer you the classes you need for the degree/certification you desire?
Create a list of the resources you currently possess that will help you to achieve your goal. Put a check mark next to the ones you definitely have and highlight the ones that you don't. Seek out and obtain the resources that you don't have so that you will have what you need to achieve your goal.
For my revised resolution, all I needed was a pen and paper. Therefore, I purchased two ink pens with four colors to help spark my creativity. I obtained a small pocket size notebook for my purse, a large notebook for my traveling suitcase, a simple desktop writing pad for my computer stand, and a journal for my bedside. These resources allowed me to write down the thoughts that entered my mind that I felt were worth writing.
READJUST TO SETBACKS
Fourth, I suggest that you quickly readjust your thinking after you encounter a setback when attempting to follow-through and achieve your resolutions (goals).
There is an adage that says, "What you think about you bring about." Therefore, when you think negative thoughts about your poor progress in achieving your resolutions, you will have exactly that, poor progress.
I found that stressing over missing my deadline of January 5, 2008 to post my articles on my Website actually debilitated me into not taking action at all. I played the "woe is me" role for so many weeks that by the time I was ready to take action, a half of year was already gone.
Once I changed my thought patterns regarding the resolution, I began to see some progress. I readjusted first by changing my perspective of the resolution into a goal. Then I made a decision about how the goal should be carried out. Within a matter of weeks, I was actually making progress and achieving my goal.
Ensuring your success with achieving your goal will require you to quickly readjust to any setbacks. Don't do as I did and allow a lot of time to pass. As soon as you realize that you've hit a setback, readjust and keep moving forward.
REWARD YOUR PROGRESS
Finally, in order to ensure that you can make and keep your resolutions, I suggest that you reward your progress.
Treat yourself to something that is personal to you. A new outfit, a brand new game for your PS2, a set of golf clubs, a candlelit bubble bath, some new jewelry, dinner out with family or friends, a night out on the town to see a movie of interest, a quiet evening at home, or even a gift card to your favorite store.
Whatever you give yourself, make sure that you provide it to yourself after you have readjusted to any setbacks you encountered. Also, give yourself a reward after you've reached certain milestones in your progress. No matter the reward you give yourself, it will serve as a motivator to help you make progress toward your goal, as well as, serve as a reminder of your success when you achieve your goal.
In November of last year, I treated myself to a big bag of the Garrett Mix - CaramelCrisp® & CheeseCorn™ popcorn as my reward for achieving my goal of writing. Garrett popcorn is my personal reward that I get whenever I've accomplished a major milestone in my life. Not only was I proud of myself for getting back on track and making progress toward my goal, but I was also proud of myself for realizing how to overcome the problem of not keeping my New Year's resolution.
What you will find, as I have discovered, is that the five strategies for making and keeping your New Year's resolutions rests upon you changing your perspective and seeing your resolutions as goals; setting a plan to achieve your goals; obtaining the right resources; readjusting to setbacks; and rewarding your progress.
When you follow these five suggested strategies for making and keeping your New Year's resolutions, you will find that you will live your best life by demonstrating more commitment and follow-through to keep your resolutions. Furthermore, you will position yourself to keep all of the promises you make to yourself for the things you want to achieve and accomplish in the new year.
Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee has a mission for educating and empowering audiences toward personal growth and career success. As a self-development expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer, author, and life coach, she uses "Divine Inspiration Vocally Applied" to provide strategies and solutions for helping her audiences via her live seminars, workshops, keynote speeches, training sessions, and one-on-one coaching sessions. To receive personal empowerment tidbits FREE each month, sign-up for her newsletter, Dialog Digest at http://www.divaofdialog.com/newsletter.aspx.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandrarleeClick here to reach Cassandra Lee
Cassandra Lee
Trainer and President of SSANEE Training & Consulting Group
She serves as a facilitator for Skill Path Seminars and in a volunteer capacity as a
Sponsor/Club President Toastmasters International in Chicago, Illinois
It is our tradition to make resolutions at the start of the new year.
When the count down ends and January 1st begins, we start proclaiming
the things we will do in the new year that will make us better, wealthier,
stronger, healthier, smarter, kinder, and wise.
We tell ourselves such resolutions as, "This year, I will lose weight."
"I will find a new job this year." "It is my goal to go back to school this year."
"My New Year's resolution is to stop smoking."
"20__ is the year I will save $300 a month."
Our resolutions - which are personal to us - run the gamut of wants and desires from saving money, to losing weight, to changing careers, and even to finding love.
The interesting thing about resolutions is that once we make them, most of us don't keep them.
Studies have shown that less than 20% of people polled in resolution studies actually achieve their desired resolutions.
Why is it that we don't have the follow-through to keep our resolutions?
What can we do to keep the promises we make to ourselves in the new year?
How can we position ourselves to achieve our resolutions?
Since Oprah has dedicated the first week of this month to teaching millions how to live their best life in the areas of health, finances, and spiritual growth, I have decided to dedicate my first article of the new year to teaching millions how to live their best life when it comes to making and keeping New Year's resolutions.
Below you will find strategies that I have found helpful with assisting me with making and keeping my New Year's resolutions. Each strategy will help you to position yourself to actually achieve the resolutions you've set..
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
First, I suggest that you change your perspective on New Year's resolutions. If you change your perspective on what a New Year's resolution really is - you will then begin to keep your resolutions more consistently.
I recommend that you look at resolutions as a goal.
By definition, a New Year's resolution is "a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous." For some
of you, although you know the lifestyle change you have committed to make over the next 365 days
will be advantageous to your lives, again, most of you will fail to stay committed and follow-through
on the resolution until the end of the year. Don't feel bad, I've been there and done that, too.
I think about my New Year's resolution for 2008, for instance. I had ended 2007 by making the New Year's resolution to put my thoughts into words and share them with others at least twice a month during 2008. I had a monthly newsletter that I had created in 2007 and I wanted to stay committed to writing an article and posting it to my Website no later than the 5th of every month.
I also had a blog that I had started but was not really utilizing. I made the New Year's resolution to put my thoughts into words at least once a week and to share them with others using the blog as a way to become savvy with using a new form of technology and to improve my habit of writing on a more frequent basis.
Did I actually do any of this in 2008? NO! As a matter of fact, when January 5, 2008 came and went, I still had not put the finishing touches on my monthly article. With this realization, I panicked because I believed that I was breaking my New Year's resolution. "What is wrong with me?", I kept asking myself for weeks, as if this question was going to jump start me into action and help me get my articles written and posted onto my Website, blog, or even EzineArticles.com.
January quickly turned into March, which then turned into July, and from there it became October, and the next thing I knew, it was a completely New Year again and I still had not posted any articles anywhere.
However, something interesting happened to me as the months moved along. I began to let go of the guilt of not succeeding at my New Year's resolution. I also began to appreciate the strides I made toward completing simple steps associated with my resolution. Even though I had missed the chance to fulfill my New Year's resolution of posting my articles, I did commit to the action of writing my thoughts on the page. In reality, I had failed to follow-through on the New Year's resolution, but I had succeeded at the goal of writing.
Once I changed my perspective to see New Year's resolutions as nothing but a goal,
I began to operate differently - mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I revised my resolution for 2008 into a goal where I told myself that my goal was to write my thoughts on the page whenever a thought worth writing entered into my mind. This goal became easier to keep. There was less stress on me to accomplish it. Amazingly, over time, I made progress.
SET A PLAN
Second, I suggest that you set a plan for achieving the goal in order to make and keep your resolutions.
A plan is nothing more than a set of actual steps (tasks) you complete toward the achievement of your goal.
Think about what your goal (resolution) is and then consider the action steps you will need to complete in order to make progress toward achieving it.
For my revised resolution (goal), my plan became to write whenever thoughts worth writing entered into my mind. That was simple enough for me to follow-through on because I found that the thoughts prompted me to act.
OBTAIN THE RIGHT RESOURCES
Third, I suggest that you obtain the right resources that will allow you to follow-through and achieve your goals.
Take into consideration what you have determined as the goal you will achieve in the New Year and what resources you will need in order to achieve that goal. Is it new workout equipment? Will you need a financial planner? Do you know the type of job site you must join? What type of bank account will you need? Which school will offer you the classes you need for the degree/certification you desire?
Create a list of the resources you currently possess that will help you to achieve your goal. Put a check mark next to the ones you definitely have and highlight the ones that you don't. Seek out and obtain the resources that you don't have so that you will have what you need to achieve your goal.
For my revised resolution, all I needed was a pen and paper. Therefore, I purchased two ink pens with four colors to help spark my creativity. I obtained a small pocket size notebook for my purse, a large notebook for my traveling suitcase, a simple desktop writing pad for my computer stand, and a journal for my bedside. These resources allowed me to write down the thoughts that entered my mind that I felt were worth writing.
READJUST TO SETBACKS
Fourth, I suggest that you quickly readjust your thinking after you encounter a setback when attempting to follow-through and achieve your resolutions (goals).
There is an adage that says, "What you think about you bring about." Therefore, when you think negative thoughts about your poor progress in achieving your resolutions, you will have exactly that, poor progress.
I found that stressing over missing my deadline of January 5, 2008 to post my articles on my Website actually debilitated me into not taking action at all. I played the "woe is me" role for so many weeks that by the time I was ready to take action, a half of year was already gone.
Once I changed my thought patterns regarding the resolution, I began to see some progress. I readjusted first by changing my perspective of the resolution into a goal. Then I made a decision about how the goal should be carried out. Within a matter of weeks, I was actually making progress and achieving my goal.
Ensuring your success with achieving your goal will require you to quickly readjust to any setbacks. Don't do as I did and allow a lot of time to pass. As soon as you realize that you've hit a setback, readjust and keep moving forward.
REWARD YOUR PROGRESS
Finally, in order to ensure that you can make and keep your resolutions, I suggest that you reward your progress.
Treat yourself to something that is personal to you. A new outfit, a brand new game for your PS2, a set of golf clubs, a candlelit bubble bath, some new jewelry, dinner out with family or friends, a night out on the town to see a movie of interest, a quiet evening at home, or even a gift card to your favorite store.
Whatever you give yourself, make sure that you provide it to yourself after you have readjusted to any setbacks you encountered. Also, give yourself a reward after you've reached certain milestones in your progress. No matter the reward you give yourself, it will serve as a motivator to help you make progress toward your goal, as well as, serve as a reminder of your success when you achieve your goal.
In November of last year, I treated myself to a big bag of the Garrett Mix - CaramelCrisp® & CheeseCorn™ popcorn as my reward for achieving my goal of writing. Garrett popcorn is my personal reward that I get whenever I've accomplished a major milestone in my life. Not only was I proud of myself for getting back on track and making progress toward my goal, but I was also proud of myself for realizing how to overcome the problem of not keeping my New Year's resolution.
What you will find, as I have discovered, is that the five strategies for making and keeping your New Year's resolutions rests upon you changing your perspective and seeing your resolutions as goals; setting a plan to achieve your goals; obtaining the right resources; readjusting to setbacks; and rewarding your progress.
When you follow these five suggested strategies for making and keeping your New Year's resolutions, you will find that you will live your best life by demonstrating more commitment and follow-through to keep your resolutions. Furthermore, you will position yourself to keep all of the promises you make to yourself for the things you want to achieve and accomplish in the new year.
Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee has a mission for educating and empowering audiences toward personal growth and career success. As a self-development expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer, author, and life coach, she uses "Divine Inspiration Vocally Applied" to provide strategies and solutions for helping her audiences via her live seminars, workshops, keynote speeches, training sessions, and one-on-one coaching sessions. To receive personal empowerment tidbits FREE each month, sign-up for her newsletter, Dialog Digest at http://www.divaofdialog.com/newsletter.aspx.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandrarleeClick here to reach Cassandra Lee
Cassandra Lee
Trainer and President of SSANEE Training & Consulting Group
She serves as a facilitator for Skill Path Seminars and in a volunteer capacity as a
Sponsor/Club President Toastmasters International in Chicago, Illinois
Friday, January 1, 2010
Om Malik on "Are You Ready for the iEconomy?"
By Om Malik
The Mophie Credit Card Reader
Jack Dorsey’s Square, Incase, Verifone and now Mophie — these companies’ credit card readers are turning the iPhone/iPod touch platform into an e-commerce engine.
Mophie, a Los Angeles-based company that makes accessories for the iPod/iPhone devices will release a credit card reader at CES in January 2010. The device is going to have a reader and a software that would allow small businesses to take credit cards. No more details are available just yet.
I, for one, would like to see Mophie or one of these other startups come up with a way for me to scan my own credit card to enter it into an app or web site. Even better, I’d love it if they married their hardware with the functionality of something like 1Password. In doing so, they could enable e-commerce via the iPhone apps. Think of it as iEconomy.
I know, I know — it’s easier said than done, considering it would need some deep, system-level mucking around, and Apple isn’t going to let that happen. But it should! By opening up, it would make the iPhone into an even more useful platform. While I can understand Apple’s hesitation at opening up the iPhone, it can start with iPod touch, which is not tethered to a wireless phone company’s network.
By focusing on the consumers, these companies can also overcome two things: somewhat finite number of likely small business customers and get scale, which would allow them to get cheaper. And this would also help them overcome the slower adoption rates normally encountered when chasing the small business market. In fact, companies such as Visa, MasterCard and large banks should be trying hard to figure out how they can put these kind of readers in the hands of both merchants and consumers, thus shifting even more transactions into the electronic realm.
The Verifone Card Reader
OK, you can see I am just way too excited about this stuff. Why not? I am encouraged to see such experimentation. It ties in with my big belief: the marriage of computing and connectivity without the shackles of being tethered to a location is the the biggest disruptive force of our times, and it will redefine business models for decades.
For a long time, companies like Symbol Technologies, a division of Motorola, have been making point-of-sale and handheld computing devices for non-office environments such as retail locations and warehouses. It is becoming obvious by the day — they are amongst those being disrupted.
I am looking forward to more Mophies and Squares!
Mobile Apps: Apple, iPhone, Jack Dorsey, Mophie, Motorola, Square, VeriFone
Om Malik Bio
Om is the founder of GigaOM Network, where he is currently a senior writer. He has worked as a senior writer for Forbes.com, Red Herring and Business 2.0. He is the author of Broadbandits: Inside the $750 Billion Telecom Heist. Om blogs about baseball, life and music on his personal blog, OmIs.Me.
Follow him on Twitter @om
The Mophie Credit Card Reader
Jack Dorsey’s Square, Incase, Verifone and now Mophie — these companies’ credit card readers are turning the iPhone/iPod touch platform into an e-commerce engine.
Mophie, a Los Angeles-based company that makes accessories for the iPod/iPhone devices will release a credit card reader at CES in January 2010. The device is going to have a reader and a software that would allow small businesses to take credit cards. No more details are available just yet.
I, for one, would like to see Mophie or one of these other startups come up with a way for me to scan my own credit card to enter it into an app or web site. Even better, I’d love it if they married their hardware with the functionality of something like 1Password. In doing so, they could enable e-commerce via the iPhone apps. Think of it as iEconomy.
I know, I know — it’s easier said than done, considering it would need some deep, system-level mucking around, and Apple isn’t going to let that happen. But it should! By opening up, it would make the iPhone into an even more useful platform. While I can understand Apple’s hesitation at opening up the iPhone, it can start with iPod touch, which is not tethered to a wireless phone company’s network.
By focusing on the consumers, these companies can also overcome two things: somewhat finite number of likely small business customers and get scale, which would allow them to get cheaper. And this would also help them overcome the slower adoption rates normally encountered when chasing the small business market. In fact, companies such as Visa, MasterCard and large banks should be trying hard to figure out how they can put these kind of readers in the hands of both merchants and consumers, thus shifting even more transactions into the electronic realm.
The Verifone Card Reader
OK, you can see I am just way too excited about this stuff. Why not? I am encouraged to see such experimentation. It ties in with my big belief: the marriage of computing and connectivity without the shackles of being tethered to a location is the the biggest disruptive force of our times, and it will redefine business models for decades.
For a long time, companies like Symbol Technologies, a division of Motorola, have been making point-of-sale and handheld computing devices for non-office environments such as retail locations and warehouses. It is becoming obvious by the day — they are amongst those being disrupted.
I am looking forward to more Mophies and Squares!
Mobile Apps: Apple, iPhone, Jack Dorsey, Mophie, Motorola, Square, VeriFone
Om Malik Bio
Om is the founder of GigaOM Network, where he is currently a senior writer. He has worked as a senior writer for Forbes.com, Red Herring and Business 2.0. He is the author of Broadbandits: Inside the $750 Billion Telecom Heist. Om blogs about baseball, life and music on his personal blog, OmIs.Me.
Follow him on Twitter @om
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