If you run a hotel, the business is this: fill beds with happy guests. Everything is geared around that. We can add “at a reasonable operating margin” to pretty much every business, including the hotel business. Restaurants: serve as many meals as possible per hour. TV: get as many viewers per show, and charge ad rates accordingly.
Business is simple. We make it complicated for some unknown reason.
At a speech today, a really smart question came from a man named Tim with an amazing beard (this has nothing to do with the question). He asked me about how we benchmark all this social media stuff, in a world of marketers who need to show their leadership benchmarking. If Julien and I are preaching standing out from everyone in Trust Agents, then how will one benchmark?
My first answer: “No one ever won a race looking sideways.” My second answer, “Experiment and show new results. You can’t benchmark for new stuff, because it hasn’t been done before. That’s the point.”
But it’s moments like those, when I think about how big companies run, when I think about how complex people seem to want to make their jobs (or that bosses seem to be asking for), that I wonder where it will end.
Most business can be done simply. There may or may not be grace and complexity to the execution, but the business is simple.
I was talking to Julien about my almost-ready-to-announce business, and he said, “Oh, so like membership sites?” And it was a lot easier to say “yes” than to try and go into the details. It’s media and education, but sure, it’s also easy to say membership sites.
How simple is your business? Do you view it simply? Can you see the benefit? Photo credit Pink Polka via chrisbrogan.com
“It is better to be beautiful than to be good. But… it is better to be good than to be ugly.” – Oscar Wilde
The best thing about job search is the worst thing, you just never know where your next job will come from. A former colleague of mine had been looking for a job for over a year after being a casualty of the “Great Recession”. I’ve been lucky enough to have never been out of work for more than a few months, but even a few weeks can feel like a lifetime when you are out of work and don’t know where you next paycheck will come from. Anyway, back to my friend. So, he finally finds a pretty good job at a major financial institution and a few short weeks later he gets offered another very good job at a more prestigious company, out of the blue. It’s almost like show business, where someone becomes an “overnight sensation” (after having clawed their way to the top over 30 years). Rarely does anyone become an overnight sensation or find a job overnight. But the point is, you never know where your next break will come from so the best bet is to look at every opportunity no matter how remote the chance. Today’s post is a mix and match of job search resources, information and leads. Take a look because you just never know . . .
100 Best Career Posts for Recent College Grads – Tons of job search resources for the recent college grad (100 to be exact). While many of these articles are geared to college grads, most of the advice applies to everyone. Posted by onlinedegreeprograms, the article provides a brief one-liner for each site with links to the detailed articles. Topics such as resume writing, internships, interview mistakes and more. And, coincidentally (not), number 29 on the list is CareerAlley.
The 10 Worst Social Media Mistakes That Will Prevent You From Landing a Job – It’s always nice to learn what not to do before you do it (rather than learning the hard way). This article, posted on Onlinedegree.net, provides some great advice on what not to do on social networks (and hopefully it is not too late for you). In addition to providing great advice, each tip has an embedded link which leads to a related article. There are additional resources on the left hand side of the page, with articles and links. Top of the page has a link to career guides.
College Times – This site is dedicated to college students and the link at the start of this paragraph leads to their careers page. There are links at the top of the page for Browse All Jobs, Job Preparation Tips, Job Negotiation Tips and more. Below this is two search engines, one for “on campus jobs” and one for “off campus jobs”. Center page is a listing of the latest jobs posted on the site, and you can use a “Full Time”, “Part Time” or “Freelance’ filter. The site is definitely worth a look.
100 Useful Social Sites for Every Kind of Job Seeker – Seems like a good match, 100 useful social sites and the link above for social site mistakes. This article is posted on Associatedegree.com and has sections for the top job search sites, sites for college grads, Resume help, Job Prep and Research and so much more. Each topic has a list of 10 or more links related to the topic.
Special Mention:
Top 10 Cities to get your first job – You know what they say, “a picture is worth a thousand jobs” (or was that “words”). This link provides an interesting graphic on average monthly salary and rent in the top 10 cities. There is also a list of top hiring companies at the bottom of the page.
Studio Blue – A job search blog, there are lots of great articles on a variety of job related topics
Heard about Jim Joyce, right? He is the umpire who cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game…only twenty EVER in major league baseball…with a horrendous call at first base with two out in the ninth inning.
He’s gone from goat to hero. Sportsmanship and all that. I heard Matt Lauer thank him this morning for the “teaching moment” he gave us all. To be fair, Umpire Joyce did admit his mistake right away, took the abuse like the man he undoubtedly is, apologized personally to Armando and did not hide from fans nor media. A class act, even with his outdated Leon Redbone mustache; luckily, there are no pictures of him in his wife beater or we all might not think so nicely about him.
Like you, it did tug at my heart strings a bit, to see this experience unfold. I thought both prime players handled it well. Especially for the simple graciousness of Armando Galarraga. Maybe we are too accustomed to the behavior of John McEnroe, Serena and Tiger, so that when someone handles it like all of us would have, it makes news. Unfortunate, that.
But it did bring up an interesting question. Are there irrovable mistakes you make at work? Sure, umpires make mistakes all the time. We all make mistakes.
But how big can mistakes be and still be apologized away? (I am sorry, Louisiana, I should have been a bit more careful about that oil thing. But I do feel reallyreally badly about it.)
What is the responsibility of management? What is their symbolic act? I had to fire my best friend once because he took public credit for the significant work of another key person in the company. He apologized, too, profusely. For me, his was an irrovable mistake. Have you had similar situations?
Would firing Mr Joyce be better for baseball in the long run?
For the past 11 years, I have been married and worked on writing novels and children’s books (which have not been published yet). I have a Ph.D. in education administration and prior to this had a business of my own. I am in the process of getting a divorce and am trying to get myself retrained to reenter the job market. What I would like to do is to go into the nonprofit industry. I have enrolled in two fundraising courses to get a certificate in fundraising and also trying to get a certificate in public relations. I have signed up to take the fundraising certificate exam. What’s the best way for me to break into the job market?
The Career Doctor responds:
Wow, you have quite an interesting background and it will be a challenge to create your resume to package everything you have done in a manner that would help you make the career change you seek — but it is certainly not impossible. It will require identifying and using transferable skills you have mastered and applying them to the skills required in the job you seek in the non-profit industry.
But the first thing you should do? Make a list of non-profits in your area and inquire whether they need volunteers for fundraising or public relations. My guess is just a bout every one of the organizations you call will resoundingly say yes.
Once you have your foot in the door, and once you complete your certifications, you will then have the transferable skills, certifications, and current experience (yes, volunteering counts as experience) to make the jump from volunteer to paid staff.
Making career changes is never an easy process, but I encourage you to keep moving forward. Having a career that you enjoy and have passion for is so much more important than working in a career you dislike but are compensated well.
Many people, particularly as they accumulate years of work experience, find they have a growing desire to put passion into their life and career. My observation about why this takes place is that as we grow in life experiences a lot of the excitement or “newness” diminishes. We simply have been there and done that enough that our threshold for what will rock our world continues to go up. It’s increasingly harder to get that same level of excitement.
As we recognize that this element of excitement is missing, it can trigger us to go in search of something we can feel passionate about. We often look around us seeing others in careers that bring them incredible joy – something they are passionate about – and we want that same feeling for ourselves. We remember how it feels to have something in our lives that consumes our thoughts and makes the hours flow quickly. The biggest issue with going in search of your life and career passion is: HOW do you discover your passion?
All too many people think that your passion just comes to you like a thunderbolt from the heavens. In other words, we think for some people it just magically appears. This leaves the rest of us to feel unlucky because the magic hasn’t happened. Finding your passion is something we all have access to. It might seem magical, but it is simply a process, like most things in our lives, and requires turning off the TV and taking some actions.
Here are 5 simple steps that will lead you to your passion:
Start first with what you already know you’re interested in. Sit down and write out a list of all the things you have some interest in trying, but never have. Your whole process requires self honesty and it starts here. Don’t list anything just because of someone else’s interests. If you aren’t genuinely interested, don’t list it. It’s also important to create this master list as it will live on perhaps for the rest of your life. As you try things on the list, you may eliminate some and add others.
You must realize that this is a discovery and experimentation process. You need to proceed with a certain playfulness and curiosity. You are going to try these things, probably for the first time, and you have no idea how they will turn out. In fact, you need to assume that while you may enjoy many of those activities, most of them will not turn into a passion.
Because most of the activities you try will not turn into a true passion, you need to develop self-patience with no self-judgment. Have fun with the process. Be open to new discoveries. You will find your passion, just be patient and trust the process. Don’t criticize yourself if it doesn’t happen immediately.
You do not need to limit your list to only things that seem related to a job. When you find a passion, you may well be able to turn it into an income opportunity, if you choose.
Make goals. You can’t just make a list. You have to take action. Like all great goals, they have the characteristics of 1) being specific 2) having a time for completion 3) and are actionable. A bad example: I will solve world hunger. This goal is missing all of the key characteristics. A good example: I will enroll and take glass blowing classes starting no later than Sept 2010. Setting goals for your drive to passion means you will hold yourself accountable for making something happen in your life. Get curious and go in search. Your biggest asset on your quest to find passion is to get curious about your environment and what other people are doing. Ask questions. Let one thing create a thread to others that you continue to follow. There are an unlimited number of things out there that people are doing and others who are inventing more things to do. Surround yourself with people who are passionate about the work they are doing or with people on a quest like you. Having others in your life, who are excited about life, will drive your process forward. It’s great to have daily doses of inspiration. Record your results. To get the most out of your exploration, you need to spend time in introspection. You need to think about each action you take and your reactions to them. This will help you understand what works for you and what doesn’t. What you learn about yourself as you move forward will help inform your next steps. Consider keeping a discovery journal. If you do best debriefing your actions by talking, consider asking a person who is also going through a quest for passion to help you. You can ask each other deep probing questions and deepen the learning. Repeat. Don’t try something just once. Give any new endeavor a chance to capture your interest by getting past the new start up roughness. Continue to move through the steps exploring, experimenting and learning until you discover the passion you are looking for. Discovering something you can feel passionate about will greatly enhance your life and career. It is not magical nor is it difficult, but it does take effort. As long as you stay open about the possibilities and continually entertain new things, you will find the passion you want in your life. Guest Expert: Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Her programs cover: Career growth and enhancement, Career Change, Retirement Alternatives and Job Search Strategy. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at: http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com/
There are strategies for overshadowing lack of education in your resume, like going with a combination resume format that highlights the broadness and depth of your knowledge and skill set relevant to the position and company. If you’re lucky, hiring companies will backburner educational requirements in place of equivalent work experience.
Advanced and continued education are a necessity these days; so for those lacking good education, there’s no better time than the present to remedy the situation. Think of it this way. If you’re being overlooked for prime jobs due to a lack of education, expect additional side effects too, like lower starting salaries and fewer promotions. So, do something about it. Look into company-sponsored education, less expensive community colleges [if you’re paying out of pocket], and pursue grants, work study programs, and low-interest student loans.
Today, I spoke to John C. Maxwell, who is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. You should also read my previous interview with John from early 2009. His latest book is called Everyone Communicates Few Connect. In this interview, John talks about why everyone communicates but few connect, some ways to connect with your audience, his five connecting principles and practices, and more.
Why does everyone communicate but few connect?
I believe that most people are more concerned about getting across their point of view, trying to be heard and understood. To connect you have to do something counter-intuitive: focus on the other person and try to understand their point of view.
What are some ways to connect with your audience?
First, listen. One on one, I’ll ask questions and listen to the other person’s answers to get to know them. Even when I prepare to speak to a group, I still ask lots of questions to find out what my host and the people care about. At the event, I pay attention to what’s happening in the room. Sometimes how I’m introduced will give me clues to what would add the most value to the audience. Also, it’s amazing what eye contact and a smile will do to help you connect, whether with an individual or a group. Eye contact helps me gauge their response in the moment, and a smile lets people know I care about them.
What are the Five Connecting Principles? Which one is the most crucial?
Connecting increases your influence in every situation.
Connecting is all about others.
Connecting goes beyond words.
Connecting always requires energy.
Connecting is more skill than natural talent.
The most important principle is #2: connecting is all about others. Just recognizing this truth will make a huge difference in a communicator’s ability to connect. The biggest single step you can take in growth as a connector is to change your focus.
What are the Five Connecting Practices? Which one has been the most important in your own career?
Connectors connect on common ground.
Connectors do the difficult work of keeping it simple.
Connectors create an experience everyone enjoys.
Connectors inspire people.
Connectors live what they communicate.
Connectors live what they communicate. I believe that the greatest disconnect is when a speaker’s words and actions don’t line up. You can be eloquent and persuasive and be sharing a great message. But if the audience senses that what you say and who you really are don’t match, you lose credibility and the audience disconnects.
How can someone whose just entering the workforce create change?
It probably won’t surprise you that I believe the best way to initiate change is to CONNECT.
But think about it: Change within an organization begins with the people. So your ability to communicate and connect with others is a major determining factor in increasing your influence. And increasing your influence with them is your way of making change happen.
Some tips:
Be prepared to expend energy on connecting. It’s not something you can do when you feel like it or when it’s convenient. Also, we go back to focusing on others. Focusing on yourself or your agenda isn’t connection; it’s manipulation. Finally, look for common ground. By finding where you’re similar, you can begin to build a bridge.
—— John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. His organizations have trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP and INJOY Stewardship Services. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and audiences as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations. A New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell was named the World’s Top Leadership Guru by Leadershipgurus.net. He was also one of only 25 authors and artists named to Amazon.com’s 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame. Three of his books, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader have each sold over a million copies. His latest book is called Everyone Communicates Few Connect.
