» management

Oh, By the Way College Senior’s its November…Do You Have a Job?

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000

A student approached me after class today and with a panic in his voice said, “I don’t have a job. What should I do?” My business class is devoted entirely to relationship building and a significant portion is spent on networking. Classes started at the end of August and this student has been attending the classes but wasn’t listening to the discussions. Now panic sets in.

Unfortunately this encounter takes place far too often. Why? College is safe from the real world and breeds procrastination when it comes to planning a career. Years ago, I remember having the same uncomfortable thoughts and have devoted a great deal of my life working with students in career planning and helping them overcome their fear of “life after college.”

Most of us know what we do NOT want as a career. Professionals such as lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc. have a direction and follow a curriculum that supports those careers. But what about the business major or liberal arts major?

Here are some ideas to get you started in planning your career choices.

1. List on paper your likes and dislikes regarding career choices.
2. Place the positive choices in priority
3. Research the opportunities in these fields
4. Locate a mentor to support your efforts
5. Create a resume that “separates you from the pack”
6. Learn the techniques of networking and creating “centers of influences”
7. And most of all don’t procrastinate!

These steps, if done diligently, will focus you and should create a proactive attitude for this most important step in your life. If you want some help give me a call. I’ve had lots of success in helping young folks bridge the gap between the college dorm and the business world. Its six months until graduation and the odds of securing a job are NOT in your favor in our current economic downturn.

Correcting an employee should be a positive experience!

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:44:37 +0000

The days of management by fear and intimidation have long passed. Management styles have developed to provide encouragement and nurturing for those in the workplace. However, on occasion there is a need to provide corrective feedback to an associate; not “blunt criticism.” The challenge arises as to the proper way to correct the performance without criticizing the individual.

Use a sandwich! Not literally, but think of a sandwich as a concept. First, give the associate some positive feedback, then “sandwich the corrective criticism” in the middle and finish with a motivating comment about how you will work with the individual to improve their performance. The individual should feel as if they have been “fed” encouragement and will respond accordingly.

Managing time based on your personal biological clock.

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:45:40 +0000

What is your best time of the day? When do you accomplish the most and are the most productive? Many individuals are “morning people;” others work best in the evening. Determine your most productive time of the day and use that time to concentrate on your more difficult tasks or the things you procrastinate doing. Easier and routine tasks, or the things you like to do are better suited for your less productive hours. The result is a “better return on your time investment” and an increase in your productivity. Once you are in a habit (it takes twenty eight days to change a habit) of managing your time effectively your attitude improves and work becomes more enjoyable.