career – Page 8 – Success Strategies

The Holidays Arrgh Here! How To Handle Employee Time Off Requests…

I️ received a call with an enquiry about the holidays, and time off. No doubt a pain for employers and an avid desire for team…

I️ received a call from a business owner about time off during the holidays. “Everyone wants to take time off at the same time. What’s the best way to handle this during the holidays?” she Dubiously asked.

Time off during the holidays can be a Riff issue for employers, and an emotional desire for team members. Employers fear absence will impact business results. Meeting the demand often prove overwhelming for small business owners who operate in the hospitality, retail, and other industries that service holiday needs.

On the other hand, employees wish to spend time with family, especially those visiting from out-of-town. Let’s not forget the busy preparations involved, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

So how can we balance the two? You don’t have to be mean about it. I concur with Kim Scott’s recommendation on the topic. Here’s my take on the issue.

The Balancing Act. Try the trade-off. Employees know the drill. Share holiday coverage needs and let them work it out amongst themselves. Only step-in if you absolutely must.
Comp days. Give them half/full day off at less demanding times. You will find this works very well, and shows compassion to those who must work.
Flex-Basket. Try a flex-basket of Goodies from which they can choose. This would include a selection of delights such as lunch, dinner, drinks, partnership with vendors for relaxation/rejuvenation goodies (e.g. mani/pedi, movie tickets, etc.). Believe me, this works wonders.

So there you have it! Three simple tips that will bring delight to your team, and smooth your business over the stressful holidays.

Noticed anything missing that you would add to best manage this issue during the holidays? Do share!

Cheers!

5 Ways To Boost Your Career in 2018…

Bored with your career and wondering how to make a change in the coming year? You’re not alone. Year-end does that to most of us. It creates that sense of longing to get our goals, dreams and aspirations done, or at the very least start the steps to get there.

That said, here are 5 Things To Do To Boost Your Career and take it to the next level in 2018:

1. Update your Public Profile. That includes social media profiles if you are actively seeking a career change. Remember that ‘s where most recruiters start to zone in on their search. So take a look at your LinkedIn and other profiles to identify areas where update is/are needed.

Oh yes, most important is the need to take the steps to update your Resume . Don’t wait until an opportunity presents itself for you to start updating. If you have a personal website, you should also take the steps to update. By the way, if you are in the creative industry, having a personal website is absolutely essential. Hiring managers will set aside your application if they are not able to see examples of your work.

2. Speak with your manager. Reach out and chat with your manager/supervisor (and in some cases co-workers who work closely with you). Find out what you’re doing great, and ways you can improve. They are usually more than happy to oblige you with the information. Don’t leave this up to your company’s performance management process to get it done. These days companies at times lag with this process, which in itself is evolving.

3. Upgrade your knowledge and skills. Review industry trends. See what’s changing. Know when to let go and when to hold on. Upgrade your skills as needed.

4. Engage in Deep Reflections…are you doing what you always wanted to do? Or are you Vision bored?

5. Celebrate your Wins! No matter how small, celebrate! Go Dancing, or do whatever brings you fun! It will provide the boost to encourage you to climb higher.

So Faint not. These 5 steps will help you as you look beyond your current circumstances into the future. Be Bold! Take the next move in your career.

Need help? Let’s connect!

Cheers!

How The Mind of an Entrepreneur Differs From That Of A Manager…

There’s a difference between the way in which an entrepreneur thinks and how a Manager thinks. How do they differ? The mind of a manager stays on the job mainly for the duration of his/her time at work…the time they are on the job. Though they may ‘carry home the work’, that’s done mainly out of fear-to please his/her boss… to do the Cacophony of things assigned.

On the other hand, the mind of an entrepreneur remains focused on entrepreneurship. Even while asleep the Entrepreneur is strategizing. They plan, think, strategize the next steps to boost the growth of their business.

As a manager, if you find yourself doing this, go start your own business. You’re an entrepreneur.

Need help? Let’s connect!

Cheers!

Attrition’s Rat Race: Fact or Fiction?

Attrition is Obsolete! Often so many still considered this as a mark of the good. Even me! Why?….

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) shared an article by Daniel Sonsino titled Attrition is Obsolete. In it he discussed the very necessary topic of attrition. Often so many still consider this as a mark of the good. Even me! Why? Because in my capacity as head of Human Resources for a major international pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, boasted of less than 5 percent turnover for years! Wow! What an achievement!

Not so today. Workers in today’s workforce are the least bit Tame. They are restless and not Cloaked as Sinsono argued in the following points:

People are changing jobs more frequently. staying with a job from lifetime, then over 4 years, to now less than 3 years.
Millennials are restless. Over 60 percent are open to new job opportunities
Employment relationships are changing. 40 percent of the U.S. workforce is made up of continent workers including temps, self-employed, and part-timers
Talent is in charge. People have more career options and leverage.

Reducing Attrition: What to do?

Reducing attrition rates is like keeping ice solid in the hot sun…it’s futile. People leave for reasons including spouse’s new job, family care-giving responsibilities, or lower cost of living.

Sonsino suggested that employers focus on:

Accepting that you will not retain all your employees
Focus your efforts on the employees who are most important to retain (i.e. those with the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to your business).
Build an alumni network so you can keep track of those who leave. Attract them back when the time is right.
Revise HR policies that make it harder for former workers to return. Welcome back boomerang employees with potentially continued vacation, stock options etc.
Establish shared accountability. Partner with other executives and when employees leave, counter with an offer letter good for up to 2 years in the future.
Devise a workforce composition strategy. Devise programs to attract to full-time status those contingent workers critical to your business. In exchange, also do the reverse. Move some full-time workers, to contingent worker status.

Does the above bring an Exceptional level of curiosity and discomfort to your business? Indeed it is cause for concern. If you need help with shifting up your workforce, consider an external partner. It will be worth it.

Cheers!

Very Superficial. 13 Jobs Without College Education…

Steve Jobs made it popular! So the debate continues. Forget college! You can get by without a degree!

Getting ahead in life is the dream of almost everyone. We want the great job; happy family; that beautiful dream home; the latest car; and to travel on the most amazing vacations! But all that takes money. And we Believe the facts speak for themselves. Individuals with a college degree earn more than two-thirds of those without a college degree. It’s not Superficial.

Despite that, not everyone wants to go to college to spend years buried in the books. Boring. But to some it’s worth every dollar invested. To those who are bent on the rationale that they can get by without a college degree, here we share top jobs for people who have no interest in beating the books. Extracted from Virginia Backaltis, and Kiplinger’s research, I’ll share 13 of my top favs with annual salaries ranging from a low of $22K to a high of $85K. All require High School Diploma, on-the-job training, while others, certification.

Commercial Pilots for Chartered flights (Flight training)
App Designers (Skill required)
Elevator Installer
Administrative Service Managers
Business Drivers (Sales People)
Electrical Power Line Installer (Naturally, high risk job)
Office Support Supervisor
Industry Machinery Mechanic
Computer User Support Specialist (some college training but most require skill)
Surgical Technologist (post secondary non degree award)
Licensed Practical Nurse (post secondary non degree award)
Dental Assistant
Home Health Aid

Need help in deciding what’s best for you? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

5-Step Checklist to Get Yourself Out There!

Scared as heck!

Hear this all the time….”Get yourself Out there! Get known! Let others see you! Let them get to know you!” But we are as scared as heck! What if we fail? What if people mock? What if we don’t say the right things on the business proposal, or the employment application? What if we do get the call but unable to give the right responses during the interview exchange? It would certainly be a Mighty fall!

Build Your Personal Brand!

If this resonates with you, here is J. Duncan’s 4 step checklist to help build your brand:

Contact 10 new people by email, direct message, or phone, and introduce yourself.
Do the Same with 10 old friends, colleagues, a person you admire to simply reconnect over coffee, or lunch meeting.
Attend Tradeshow, Conference, or events at least once per month to build your brand, and create new network
Learn Something New everyday…very important

Getting yourself out there to expand your network is no easy feat. But it’s well worth the effort. It’s a surefire Goal-Setting initiative that will certainly bring you positive result. A mentor or coach can assist.

Need help? Get out of your comfort zone and Let’s connect!

Cheers!

The Grit. The Grind. The Search…

Remember the saying, if you don’t know where you want to go, any road will take you there. So, if you’re not sure, take an assessment. Stop. Don’t turn up your nose. Find one. Answer the questions correctly and it will reveal different occupations and/or direction you can take to get you on your path of interest. For example, if you Caper and like helping people, you might be suitable to become a health professional. Look at the qualifications needed.

You might also like Jump! Bust The Fear… and Refocus: Your Brand. Their View…

The Grit. The Grind. The Search. Consider all your options then select one and take the necessary steps to get you where you want to go.

If you are already on the path; know where you want to go, and have the qualifications, then start your search. Look on different job search medium. Find out the salary paid, what the job fully entails, then apply.

But first! Make sure that resume is up to par. If you’re in the creative industry make sure you start a website or blog to show your work. Some employers won’t even consider you if you are not able to show samples of your work. So, find a home online (i.e. your website) and get active.

Next, write that cover letter that will show that you have actually read what the job entails. I have been floored by people who have applied to jobs that I have advertised on LinkedIn and other medium and it shows that they have not even read the job requirements to see if they meet the criteria. Let me hasten to say that sometimes you really do not meet the criteria, but I will encourage you to still apply. Sell yourself through the cover letter. Show why you would be eligible for the job though you have no experience. Who knows you may still be hired because of your attitude! Because of your potential and initiative. Take the time to share how you would apply your current skills to the job.

Happy Searching!

Cheers!

Lets connect!

Refocus: Your Brand. Their View…

You have made up your mind about where you want to go and what you want to do. Now what? It’s time to set Sail. Take a look at what others will see when they start searching for you. How is your CV/Resume? When was the last time you looked at it? By the way, your Resume should be kept current every time you make a change on the job in terms of your achievement. It should be added. Don’t wait until years later you start scrambling to find what did I do again? What are the gaps between the Dash?

What about your public profiles? Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Is it a ghost (i.e. no picture); does it reflect where you want to be? Or is it depicting some Plucked career you did back when you just started working years ago? What about Facebook? It’s where most headhunters go to look to find out about you before they even connect with you. What are their likes? Dislikes? What activities are you involved in? We can sell ourselves in an interview but when doing a public search, what will they find? Make sure their search comes up with what you want them to know about you.

Need help? Lets Connect.

Cheers!

Advice: The New Grad’s Frontier…

Life’s Good! The future’s bright, beautiful, and inviting! New grads saunter excitedly about their achievement. With innocence, they smile, move, and they plan creatively. But as they take the next step, confusion appears often disparagingly. As they stare, the future becomes fearful…oblique.

Renowned author, speaker and coach Brian Tracy, asked his followers to share one piece of advice that they would give a new grad. Excitedly followers jumped in with voices that echoed Natty instructions galore:

Have a vision about the future that truly excites you, then go ahead and build skills, habits, and attitudes that will make your vision a reality. If you are ambitious, read Elon Musk: Tesla, Space and a Quest for Fantastic Future. Read a lot but never confuse reality and fantasizing. Don’t read when you have to be working or spend time on social media when you have to be doing the actual work.
First you Learn and after that remove ‘L’ from that (earn)
Be patient
Persistence, discipline, and dedication
Work harder than anyone else
Don’t get a career – build a life
Spend your time wisely. Never waste it
Always stay true to yourself
Don’t be afraid to fail, laugh it off and jump right back in again, do it when you can. Make comebacks easier. Timing.
Make sure to do what you really love to do
Stay disciplined. Never stop reading and exploring. Get up soon when you fall.
Believe in your ability even if you are the only one who does
Keep your debts LOW and your savings rate HIGH. That way, should you find yourself in a job or situation tht you hate or have outgrown, you will have the resources/ability to move on. Always have an EXIT Plan and Exit Fund. Never settle
Be yourself, do your best, never give up
Do what it requires to achieve the goal but do it with good in mind
Understand emotional intelligence
Be authentic
Follow what you love. Do what you love
Observe. Absorb. Ask quality questions. At the end of the day, self-evauate. Devote your mornings to listen to Brian Tracy and other motivational audios. Then apply
Read books
Be intentionally clear
Patience
Know what you want
Start and don’t quit
Never ever OVER PROMISE then under deliver
Learn to plan
Show up

Great advice for grads and even those of us who have moved ahead with years of experience. There’s always opportunity for change. To recoup, to pick up the pieces, and begin or get on track again.

Any advice missing that you could add?

Cheers!

Follow me on Instagram for Daily Motivation

Let’s connect

7 Essential Steps To Busting Career Barriers…

It’s the most devastating news! I sat across from Kate with her manager. We shared the news that today was her last day. It was nothing she had done wrong. It was simply a change in business due to the crisis. Over 70 percent of employees had to go. Kate was one. She cried. Begged. Pleaded. She had kids, and was the sole provider. But there was nothing we could do. She had to go, as did the others. It was a uniform strike across the board.

Have you or anyone you know ever been blindsided by such horrific news? You worked hard. You were a diligent worker who went above and beyond the call of duty. Yet, it was now your time. You wonder how you will survive. Life seems insurmountable. I am here to tell you that you can survive. Here are 7 Steps that will help to guide you through such trying times of change.

Discover The 7 Essential Steps to Busting Those Career Barriers & Land That Dream Job

1. Busting the Fear (New Mindset)

2. Refocus: Your Brand Their View (CV/LinkedIn Profile & More)

3. Job Search: Apply the Right Techniques

4. Ace That Interview!

5. The Aftermath (what to do while waiting)

6. Happy Landing (The Job)

7. Acclimated (Settling in the New Role)

If these steps resonate and you need help getting started, let’s Ask me How today. Download the full details of the 7 Steps to Busting Career Barriers as you ride the waves and develop a new mindset to land that new and exciting dream role!

Cheers!

Follow me on Instagram for Daily Motivation

Ready to Jump to a New Job?

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Ready to Jump to a New Job or Industry? Well, here is the list promised from post Employers are Paying More for these Skills. This list shows The Most Flexible Career skills for those who are planning to jump to a new job or industry. These skills are transferable. So, dust yourself off. Take a moment and do an inventory of your skill set. Do you possess of any of these skills? If so, you’re ready to take the leap. It’s your choice, but Don’t be Afraid…just do it. You’ll be fine.

Project Management
Leadership
Budget Management
Training Program Development
Program Management
Strategic Planning
Financial Analysis
Regulatory Compliance

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5 Strategies That Will Help You Position Yourself for Success

Of course knowing which skills are in demand is the first step, but next you will need to go out and get them. But before you start complaining, these take little or no time and money. Besides, there are resources available to help you. So here are the 5 Strategies from Money Magazine’s Kathy Robinson. These tips will help you position yourself for success.