Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Cope with Clients Who Dont Listen

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Cope with Clients Who Don't Listen As a consultant, I’ve often made recommendations to my clients that were not acted upon. Sometimes the client simply pretended she didn’t hear my advice, and other times she disagreed with me overtly and did the exact opposite. It’s frustrating to be hired as an expert in a particular area, only to learn that your clients feel they know better. It’s even worse when the client’s change in direction results in diminished business results that affect whether you get re-hired on another project. We all have clients, whether we’re consultants or not. But whether our clients are official or unofficial, internal or external, it’s critical to our reputations and future success that we take the right actions when the people who depend on us seem to be losing faith. Listen Without Getting Defensive When a client ignores your guidance and a project starts to run amuck, it’s easy to feel angry and powerless. Instead, calmly ask your client why she is proceeding in this manner. Has she properly understood what you’re recommending? If so, why isn’t she implementing it? Is it a question of resources, finances, or time? Perhaps someone higher up the chain wants an alternative plan? This conversation is best had in person, but a phone chat is better than none at all. For the rest of my tips, head over to the full post at Intuits Fast Track blog.

How to Write a Resume For a New Job

How to Write a Resume For a New JobAmherst is the largest city in Massachusetts, located in the state's northern part, a major metropolitan area. Located along the Housatonic River, it is wedged between the towns of Holden and Dartmouth. While it has its fair share of population, its true size is only a quarter of that of the latter.Though it's far from a small city, UMass is not, by any means, a small college town. As a result, your resume must reflect this truth, if you wish to get a job there.Getting to know UMass will take some time. This is due to the fact that the city never actually sleeps, but rather is in full-on 'construction' mode, with college students, local businesses, and state employees all taking part in all of the necessary activities. In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences is located within walking distance of most UMass Amherst campuses. This means that your resume must describe yourself as someone who can be depended upon to show up on time for work and be able to effectively communicate with those who do.The college's affiliation with national research institutions and hospitals often calls for a resume that highlights your work experience at these organizations. Carefully craft your resume to highlight your work in areas such as 'Medical Officer, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey'; 'Regional Manager, Marine Science, Whiting Environmental Services Inc'; or 'Executive Director, National League of Cities.'Some of the larger and more prestigious corporations in the area usually send their resumes through a recruiting firm. Your resume needs to be carefully crafted to fit this task, in order to ensure that it conveys the specific message that they are looking for.Many applicants to UMass seek jobs with the Massachusetts Division of Forensic Science, which was founded in 1925. Though the division works directly with law enforcement agencies, the number of applicants seeking a position with this office is relatively small . Your resume should highlight this aspect by stating that you have 'co-authored hundreds of articles on forensic science,' among other qualifications.If you don't find a job with the Division of Forensic Science right away, consider applying elsewhere within the state. Even if you do not land a position with that division, a less difficult option may be a position with UMass for Forensic Sciences.Be sure to take your time when choosing your resume. Applying online and sending in the form early is the best way to begin your search for a new position in a new college town.

What Company Clues Can You Pick Up at the Interview

What Company Clues Can You Pick Up at the Interview Before a job interview, most candidates are aware of the standard pre-interview preparation that’s expected of them. Researching a company and its management online has long been a prerequisite for a successful interview, not just to inform the applicant of the kind of company to which he or she is applying, but more importantly, to prove the applicant’s interest in the company to the employer prior to the interview. Still, this only gives the job seeker a small snapshot of the employer. After all, anything can be made to look good online with a good photographer and copywriter, and what employer would publish something on their website or social media that didn’t paint them in their best light possible? For most job seekers, however, what a company truly has to offer reveals itself at the face-to-face interview. Considering that accepting a job is an integral step on an employee’s career path, it’s in a candidate’s best interest to know what signs to look for, and what they signify. Here are a few bits of information about an employer that can be gleaned during the interview process, and how they may affect you as a future employee. The office As you approach the office for the interview, take note of your surroundings. Is it in a nice neighborhood? Is the building well-maintained? Is the office décor attractive? Surely there are plenty of examples of successful companies in declining neighborhoods or boasting shabby-chic décor, but the majority of the time, a successful company will take pride in its office’s appearance, and vice versa. Once you arrive, take note of the amenities. Are there snacks and beverages available? Is there a comfortable breakroom for employees to relax during lunchtime and breaks? Are the bathrooms clean? Is there ample security should you decide to work late? Remember that you will probably be spending more waking hours at work than you do at home. Therefore, a company’s office plays a far bigger role than just a building to house your desk and computer. Working for an employer that offers its employees comfortable, well-maintained surroundings and amenities will yield much greater employee satisfaction than those with less comfortable or attractive surroundings. The employees During the interview, make an effort to interact with as many people as possible. How are you treated by the receptionist? How about the individual(s) performing the interview? Are they friendly and upbeat, or do they appear overly busy and inconvenienced by your presence? Most importantly, take note of other employees around the office. While your interaction with them will probably be limited, do they appear friendly in their interaction with each other, or overwhelmed by the burden of work? Keep in mind that these will be your coworkers with whom you’ll spend 40+ hours a week. They can become lifelong friends, or cause you endless hours of frustration. While you may not be able to tell this from your first meeting, you can at least get an idea of the company culture and whether the employees will make for a positive work environment. The interview The interview itself isn’t just a chance for the employer to evaluate you, but for you to evaluate the employer. A candidate can tell a lot about a company’s management simply by the preparation and professionalism with which they conduct an interview. Was the interviewer on time, or did they keep you waiting? Did they seem relaxed and prepared, or frustrated and overwhelmed? Did they seem interested in your answers, or did they appear eager to wrap up and get somewhere they’d rather be? Whether or not you would be working directly with the person who interviewed you, you would certainly be working with the management team this person represents. Should you get the feeling that the interviewer is inconvenienced, rushed or simply not welcoming, chances are you’ll recognize these reoccurring traits as an employee. The parking lot This one may seem a bit superficial, but as you exit the office parking lot, make a note of the employees’ vehicles. Are they relatively new and well-maintained, or old and in poor condition? While you obviously can’t judge an individual’s talent or work ethic by the car they drive, one could argue it’s easier to judge a company’s success as a whole by the cars in its parking lot. Obviously this will depend a great deal on where the company is located, as owning a new car in New York City will put you in a whole other income bracket than owning one in a small Midwestern town. Whether or not you subscribe to this theory, the fact remains that if public transportation isn’t available, an employer that doesn’t pay its employees enough to perform routine car maintenance probably won’t rank very high in employee satisfaction. Job seekers who are just starting their career often make the mistake of focusing solely on impressing the employer in the interview. While this is important, they may overlook the fact that the interview is the opportune time to gather information essential to determining future work satisfaction. Unless you know someone who works at the company or have done business with them in the past, the interview will be your only direct interaction with the company that may serve as your future employer for years to come. Keep your eyes and ears open throughout every step of the interview process as if your future depends on it, because you’ll soon find out it does.

Personal Brand Word of Mouth-Part 3 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Brand Word of Mouth-Part 3 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This is part three of a five part series of the importance of personal branding in garnering positive word of mouth. In our hyper-connected society, word of mouth has become “world of mouth” and recommendations truly craft your online and offline persona and value. It makes all the difference between positive or negative word of mouth about you, your service, or your business. By now I hope that you’ve had the opportunity to really discover what your personal brand is. From getting feedback from contacts, clients and peers, to making some strategic plans to create a “word garden” that highlights your strongest brand attributes â€" we’ve been going over much to understand what you think your personal brand is and the perception that is out there. Unfortunately, human nature dictates that perception is reality. So, if you have not really understood what the current perception is of you â€" out there â€" then do that first before you move onto the next phase. (Personal Brand and Word of Mouth Part 1 and Personal Brand and Word of Mouth Part 2) The next phase Now, it’s time to craft your communication plan. And, this is important for individuals within a company, independent professionals, solopreneurs and business owners. I’ll focus on how to create a communication plan that garners positive word of mouth. Whether you’re looking for a job or not, positive word of mouth is something that you want to encourage, nurture and know of prior to you needing it. Asking for positive word of mouth when you need it and when you haven’t nurtured it with your contacts, sounds desperate. Being desperate, no matter how you package it looks neither inspiring or positive on anyone. You’ve heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Even now that phrase continues with, “and more importantly it’s who knows you well.” To garner positive word of mouth, it is your job to create the curriculum â€" meaning that you must put together the process of the way that people speak of and about you. Why does word of mouth matter? Word of mouth has always been considered a strong and reliable way to get information. With all of our social networks online, too, word of mouth has become the “new black”. We have greater lists of friends through online networks, friends that we’ve rekindled past high school and college relationships and friends that have become friends in a truly different definition of the word now that “online friending” is mainstream. 93% identify word of mouth as best and most reliable source for information, ideas, product, services and people. There are 500 to 1500 people we are connected with in life that are our weak ties (associates, acquaintances, colleagues). Source: Northeastern University How do you define success? First things first, it’s important for you to define what success means to you. To put forth a good map to success, you have to know what that first stop in the destination looks like, sounds like and feels like. What’s most important are to know the “who” needs to be involved, what numbers would measure that success and your mile markers along that road to success. Why? Because you will teach others how to recognize connections for you and it must be done in a way that is specific, portable and easy to understand. What will people talk about? 32% will talk about something exciting or “buzz-worthy” 20% will talk about solutions to problems or great ideas 13% will talk about knowledge they have exclusive access to 13% will talk about what they’ve personally experienced 12% will talk about something news breaking, stylish or fashionable Keep this in mind as we talk about the curriculum you will develop for people to speak positively on your behalf. Creating your curriculum It is important to teach people about positive word of mouth for you and what would be most effective. Why? Because when they ask you “how can I help you”, you want to provide a more helpful response than “find me a job” or “send some business my way.” Do you think true action would happen with that limited information? Your communication plan is like your curriculum for teaching people how speak positively on your behalf and who to do this with. First, identify who are some of the best people to connect with for what you’re wanting to accomplish. Are you transitioning positions? Breaking out into an entrepreneurial endeavor? Going to the next level in your current company? Focused on securing more clients? Whatever the reason identify who it would be good for you to know. Second, once you’ve identified that list take one step higher and give yourself (and your connections) a “birds eye” view. Where do people, like you identified, hand out in droves, packs, or groups? For example, my friend, Rachel Stone, President/CEO of our local Hispanic Chamber, is a great connection for me. Taking a “bird’s eye view”, I would look to see where other “heads of chambers of commerce” spend their time together as a group. It could be in leadership groups, city planning committees, industry conferences, ground breaking ceremonies and ribbon cuttings, etc. Next, identify what phrases people can listen to for you that would give them a clue that this person might be a good person to connect you with? It could be simply they say, “I need someone with (and then they say something related to your talent). Yet, it might be more subtle. What do those subtle comments sound like? Going back to my example, those people that are good connections for me are in a leadership role with an organization or association, and they say “we’re good at getting members but not retaining them” or “our members are really wondering what they get for membership with us” or “we’re hosting a conference”. So, you might be thinking “well, that’s well and good when you’re selling a product or consulting service” but what about if you want to move ahead in your career/profession? Keep the same guidelines. Who do you want/need to be connected with? So, let’s say you identify that you want to connect with upper management and CEOs. Next, where do they hang out in groups? Industry meetings, certification/training workshops, a local Rotary club. Then, what could a good contact listen for that might give an insight to who would value your authentic strengths? It might be statements like, “I’m ready to slow down and share the workload” or “it’s hard to find someone competent to delegate to that you don’t have to hand hold” or “I’ve gotten this huge project and I’m not quite sure where to begin.” What these phrases are depends on who you identified you need to meet or brought into their circle of awareness. Kin to listening for specific types of phrases is looking for certain things. Back to my example, I look for associations with Facebook and Twitter accounts with little or no activity or worse yet, they’re the only ones “talking” on those pages, so there’s no engagement or conversation. For you what would that be? If you’re a job seeker, it might be someone who is rushing around, not making appointments or being able to return phone calls. It could be a CEO whose having to be project manager, blogger and social media specialist. What do they look like when they don’t have what you authentically provide? Lastly, teach your contacts ways to bring up in conversation some topics that would give you (and them) and idea if this is a good contact. For example, going back to the job seeker example, it might be asking “could you use some help on that project?” or “have you thought about someone who does (whatever your talent is)?” Or, maybe, it could be this question “how do you decide who you are going to put in a position of responsibility in your team.” All of these questions will give you and your contact insight into what your best contact is looking for along with their decision making process. Now, who do you teach this all to? Well, the answer to that is in our next installment! In the meantime, start putting your curriculum (communication plan) together so you’re ready to teach people who to pass along great word of mouth for you in a way that honors your brand and gets results. Author: Maria Elena Duron is chief buzz officer, coach and speaker with buzz2bucks.com. Buzz2Bucks | a word of mouth firm serves as the community manager around your personal or business brand online and offline, and coaches community managers on how to be buzz-worthy. Buzz2Bucks is known for the talk that yields profits. She is author of the book Mouth to Mouth Marketing and the ebook Social I.R.A. Shes been quoted as a marketing and word of mouth expert by Entrepreneur Magazine and contributes to several publications and is the creator of #brandchat, a weekly twitter conversation about all aspects of branding. She broadcasts weekly as the business coach with CBS7. Duron will speak at the 2009 Massachusetts Conference for Women. 24x768 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 This is part three of a five part series of the importance of personal branding in garnering positive word of mouth. In our hyper-connected society, word of mouth has become “world of mouth” and recommendations truly craft your online and offline persona and value. It makes all the difference between positive or negative word of mouth about you, your service, or your business. By now I hope that you’ve had the opportunity to really discover what your personal brand is. From getting feedback from contacts, clients and peers, to making some strategic plans to create a “word garden” that highlights your strongest brand attributes â€" we’ve been going over much in understand what you think your personal brand is and the perception that is out there. Unfortunately, human nature dictates that perception is reality. So, if you have not really understood what the current perception is of you â€" out there â€" then do that first before you move onto the next phase. The next phase Now, it’s time to craft your communication plan. And, this is important for individuals within a company, independent professionals, solopreneurs and business owners. I’ll focus on how to create a communication plan that garners positive word of mouth. Whether you’re looking for a job or not, positive word of mouth is something that you want to encourage, nurture and know of. Asking for positive word of mouth when you need it and when you haven’t nurtured it with your contacts, sounds desperate. Being desperate, no matter how you package it or try to cover it up looks neither inspiring or positive on anyone. You’ve heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Even now that phrase continues with, “and more importantly it’s who knows you well.” To garner positive word of mouth, it is your job to create the curriculum â€" meaning that you must put together the process of the way that people speak of and about you. Why does word of mouth matter? Word of mouth has always been considered a strong and reliable way to get information and now with all of our social networks online, too, word of mouth has become the “new black”. We have greater lists of friends through online networks, friends that we’ve rekindled past high school and college relationships and friends that have become friends in a truly different definition of the word now that “online friending” is mainstream. 93% identify word of mouth as best and most reliable source for information, ideas, product, services and people. There are 500 to 1500 people we are connected with in life that are our weak ties (associates, acquaintances, colleagues). Source: Northeastern University How do you define success for you? First things first, it’s important for you to define what success means to you. To put forth a good map to success, you have to know what that first stop in the destination looks like, sounds like and feels like. What’s most important are to know the “who” needs to be involved, what numbers would measure that success and your mile markers along that road to success. Why? Because you will teach others how to recognize connections for you and it must be done in a way that is specific, portable and easy to understand. What will people talk about? 32% will talk about something exciting or “buzz-worthy” 20% will talk about solutions to problems or great ideas 13% will talk about knowledge they have exclusive access to 13% will talk about what they’ve personally experienced 12% will talk about something news breaking, stylish or fashionable Keep this in mind as we talk about the curriculum you will develop for people to speak positively on your behalf. Creating your curriculum It is important to teach people about positive word of mouth for you and what would be most effective. Why? Because when they ask you “how can I help you”, you want to provide a more helpful response than “find me a job” or “send some business my way.” Truly, would you do that with that limited information? Your communication plan is like your curriculum for teaching people how speak positively on your behalf and who to do this with. First, identify who are some of the best people to connect with for what you’re wanting to accomplish. Are you transitioning positions? Breaking out into an entrepreneurial endeavor? Going to the next level in your current company? Focused on securing more clients? Whatever the reason identify who it would be good for you to know. Second, once you’ve identified that list take one step higher and give yourself (and your connections) a “birds eye” view. Where do people, like you identified, hand out in droves, packs, or groups? For example, my friend, Rachel Stone, President/CEO of our local Hispanic Chamber, is a great connection for me. Taking a “bird’s eye view”, I would look to see where other “heads of chambers of commerce” spend their time together as a group. It could be in leadership groups, city planning committees, industry conferences, ground breakings and ribbon cuttings, etc. Next, identify what phrases people can listen to for you that would give them a clue that this person might be a good person to connect you with? It could be simply they say, “I need someone with (and then they say something related to your talent). Yet, it might be more subtle. What do those subtle comments sound like? Going back to my example, those people that are good connections for me are in a leadership role with an organization or association, and they say “we’re good at getting members but not retaining them” or “our members are really wondering what they get for membership with us” or “we’re hosting a conference”. So, you might be thinking “well, that’s well and good when you’re selling a product or consulting service” but what about if you want to move ahead in your career/profession? Keep the same guidelines. Who do you want/need to be connected with? So, let’s say with upper management and CEOs. Next, where do they hang out in groups? Industry meetings, certification/training workshops, a local Rotary club. Then, what could a good contact listen for that might give an insight to who would value your authentic strengths? It might be statements like, “I’m ready to slow down and share the workload” or “it’s hard to find someone competent to delegate to that you don’t have to hand hold” or “I’ve gotten this huge project and I’m not quite sure where to begin.” What these phrases are depends on who you identified you need to meet or brought into their circle of awareness. Kin to listening for specific types of phrases is looking for certain things. Back to my example, I look for associations with Facebook and Twitter accounts with little or no activity or worse yet, they’re the only ones “talking” on those pages, so there’s no engagement or conversation. For you what would that be? If you’re a job seeker, it might be someone who is rushing around, not making appointments or being able to return phone calls. It could be a CEO whose having to be project manager, blogger and social media specialist. What do they look like when they don’t have what you authentically provide? Lastly, teach your contacts ways to bring up in conversation some topics that would give you (and them) and idea if this is a good contact. For example, going back to the job seeker example, it might be asking “could you use some help on that project?” or “have you thought about someone who does (whatever your talent is)?” Or, maybe, it could be this question “how do you decide who you are going to put in a position of responsibility in your team.” All of these questions will give you and your contact insight into what your best contact is looking for along with their decision making process. Now, who do you teach this all to? Well, the answer to that is in our next installment! In the meantime, start putting your curriculum (communication plan) together so you’re ready to teach people who to pass along great word of mouth for you in a way that honors your brand and gets results. Maria Elena Duron is chief buzz officer, coach and speaker with buzz2bucks.com. Buzz2Bucks | a word of mouth firm serves as the community manager around your personal or business brand online and offline, and coaches community managers on how to be buzz-worthy. Buzz2Bucks is known for the talk that yields profits. She is author of the book Mouth to Mouth Marketing and the ebook Social I.R.A. Shes been quoted as a marketing and word of mouth expert by Entrepreneur Magazine and contributes to several publications and is the creator of #brandchat, a weekly twitter conversation about all aspects of branding. She broadcasts weekly as the business coach with CBS7. Duron will speak at the 2009 Massachusetts Conference for Women.

Tips For Writing a Food Server Resume

Tips For Writing a Food Server ResumeIt's no secret that food servers are in demand. After all, what other career choice would be right for someone who can cook and who has time for other things like reading a menu, keeping the wait staff happy, and not to mention, working the stage at every social event? Nothing comes close. But you might have trouble actually crafting a resume that shows off your skills and expertise.Resumes are often difficult to write because of the simple fact that the resume is only meant to appeal to the hiring manager. It's more of a tool that companies use to screen job applicants and weed out those who aren't ready for a position. The bottom line is that food servers need to be able to provide the correct information on their resume, but that information must not distract from the most important things, which is how well you know the employees of the restaurant.For example, let's take a look at an example of a food server resume. Let's say you're a server a t a local diner and have been with the company for about three years. You also know most of the waiters and waitresses, so it should be fairly easy for you to put a catchy phrase or two on your resume that would instantly attract the attention of the employer. Your resume must show that you have great interpersonal skills, you can communicate effectively with others, and you are organized in that you keep a clean work space.One's worth knowing are the words 'decisive'assertive.' Your resume should give importance to this in your resume. These two words should get some of your job history in order. You can also include your hands-on experience in a separate section and put the phrases 'traveling'hotel' in the same line.A resume is only effective if it gives the reader the information he needs in order to make his decision. Your resume is one way to do this because it is your first introduction. When a reader gets a chance to see what your abilities and interests are, he will be inter ested in learning more.Once you get your skills and experience listed, you need to do a little bit of research in order to find a place where you can upload your employment resume. The placement service that you used when you were still looking for a job may still be active, and they may be able to help you find a place where you can post your resume. In addition, there are many online job databases that you can access for free.This is all very helpful, but remember that the food server resume is a tool in the toolbox for job hunters. It is not the only tool. You should always check your own skills against those of the employees at the job you are applying for. But remember that your resume is a way for you to sell yourself and those skills that you know in order to get an interview.As the old saying goes, a resume is only as good as the amount of effort you put into creating it. Make sure you're prepared and get the information out there that you know you have to. Your resume is yo ur first sell.

A Modern Stress Catalyst Are You Emailing On Your Commute CareerMetis.com

A Modern Stress Catalyst Are You Emailing On Your Commute â€" CareerMetis.com Source â€" Pexels.comWe are becoming more and more aware of the importance of a healthy work-life balance. However, of all the things that might be corrupting that balance, it is unlikely you will have considered checking emails out of work hours to be one of them.New research taken out by My Own Stationery has discovered that those of us who read and respond to work emails on our commute face significantly more stress as a result.Perhaps you think it is not that big of an issue? However, over three-quarters of the people asked in this study admitted to engaging with work emails and communications while on public transport. They also unanimously agreed to this considerably impacting their stress levels.evalWhy do we check our emails on our commute?This problem, when you sit back and look at it, is not that surprising. The workplace is now much more fluid, with more people able to work remotely and deal with issues when ‘out of hours’ due to our increasing connectedness and consta nt upgrades in the applications of our devices. How many faces are illuminated by phone screens on your commute? Many, right?So, why do we do it? First of all, flicking through all of your device applications is a habit. It is now a widely known routine; check all apps for new notifications regardless of how long your last sweep was. It is just something to do. So, of course, you will eventually stumble into a stressful e-mail or message.However, the most common reasons for engaging with email on the commute were down to people wishing to get a head start on their work. In fact, this was the reason given by 68% of people. Nearly a tenth of people insisted that they were too busy to engage in work correspondence once they were officially at work. Most worryingly though, is that around a quarter of people said that this was the expectation. It was not their own choice. evalSuch a trend is concerning, as it reflects an attitude pushed onto employees by employers; a work ethic that has seen a significant rise in stress and burnout among professionals in the UK. The main reason for this burnout is the overload and pressure put upon people through constant connection to the workplace, wherever they are. The lines between work and leisure are considerably more blurred than they used to be, and our work-life balances are becoming much more difficult to stabilize.How stressful is this habit?This issue is getting recognition throughout the world; so significant is its impact on mental health and business productivity. For example, the French government has now banned any engagement with work emails after 6 pm, legislation that is being seriously considered by some other business-dense locations, New York, for example.evalBut how much does this raise your stress levels? Well, if we look back at the survey, those people who admitted regular engagement with work emails during their commute reported an average stress level of 9/10. In comparison, 24% of people who said they rarely dealt with e-mails on their way to work had an average stress level of 2/10â€"a staggering difference that makes a strong case for breaking the trend.Why should this behavior be changed?As fantastic as around the clock connectivity is, it should never be taken advantage of by employers and businesses. Not only does it hike the stress levels of their employees way up, but it also hinders the productivity of a company, as opposed to the productivity optimization they strive to achieve!The problem here, as you may have surmised, is a matter of balance. The human brain needs rest to function effectively and economically when heightened concentration is necessary. By engaging with work-related tasks out of work hours, you are both extending the time for which your brain must concentrate on high-stress matters and taking away time when you should be relaxing and readying yourself for the day ahead.Checking your emails, in a nutshell, forces you to spread your energy and brainpower to thinly. This also means that when you are actually at work the quality of what you can offer, and the level of productivity you can reach for the day, is not at as high a level as if you had taken a little time for self-care in advance. If you ban yourself from emails on the commute, you will see your stress decrease, and your workplace productivity increases. That is a fact!What should you be doing on your commute instead?The key is to relax. It is as simple as that. The study shows that the majority of us neither take the time to ready ourselves for work nor allow ourselves time to decompress after 8 hours of graft. The commute, if you use public transport, is stressful enough already. evalDon’t add to this with work issues as well! Find a way to try and relax, to go into your world and take some time for yourself. In London, the average commute takes around 1 hour from door-to-door. That is 2 hours a day that you could be used to look after yourself.1) MusicevalThere are ve ry few people who don’t love music. At a base level music makes us happy, if you fill your body with positive endorphins from listening to your favorite track on repeat, do it! It will springboard you into the day with positivity! Other than emotional nourishment, music also improves our memory, our ability to learn and our attention span.2) PodcastsThese are growing in popularity. It is a way of engaging in something that interests you without requiring you to waste concentration, as you might do by reading an article or dense text.eval3) Meditation or MindfulnessMindfulness practices improve our ability to do away with the noise in our heads. By practicing it regularly, you can find real clarity and mental presence. There are many meditations and mindful practices out there that you can do anywhere, anytime.4) ReadingThere is nothing like shutting out the real world and getting lost in a fantasy. The literature market has never been more healthy and exciting; there is something out there for everyone. Hey, if you don’t fancy words, why not try a graphic novel!Try one of these out and break the habit of emailing during the commute. See your mood soar, your stress plummets, and your work-life balance falls into place.

Going Global With Your Business

Going Global With Your Business It’s always necessary to keep on trying to grow your company, but there might come a time when you have nowhere else to expand into in your national market or industry sector. Don’t worry if you hit this point; it’s actually a very good sign. It means that your business is now ready to go global. Going global and reaching out to international markets is a big deal for companies. After all, it gives you a lot more customers to target and the chance to make even bigger profits. However, before you do start to move into some foreign markets, it’s important to remember these following pointers. Carry Out Plenty Of Local Market Research It’s really important that you think carefully about which international market you are going to expand into. You will find that your company will be a bigger success in some than in others. The best way to figure out which markets to aim for is to carry out some research. Ideally, you should get a local market research firm who are based in your target country to carry this out as they will come up with some better results than a firm in your home country. Find A Local Mentor It’s a good idea to team up with a local mentor who has plenty of experience in the industry and market that you are planning on expanding into. They will have all the best advice for you and can even help you deal with some of the cultural differences that you will face in this new territory. They will even be a great help when it comes to increasing your professional network in the foreign country as they will be able to introduce you to all of their contacts. Get Ready For Language Differences If you are expanding into a country that speaks a different language to your own, then you will need to be prepared to overcome the various hurdles that a language barrier could bring. Thankfully, English is still very much the language of business, but you might still find that there are times when you need to arrange translations and book interpreters. It’s also a good idea to start hiring multilingual employees now so that you are all ready once you do start operating in your target country. Consider Extra Financial Support Are you sure that your business will be able to cope with international expansion? Firstly, you need to consider whether you can hire more employees to handle all the extra work that you will get once you do expand. You might also need to start renting a new office in your target country. All of these things cost money, so you need to know for sure that you can afford it. If you aren’t too sure, it’s worth looking for some new investment or seeking a business loan. Once you have considered all of the above, you should be in a good position to expand into a new global market. Good luck!

The Recession is Bullhonkey Paulas Story - When I Grow Up

The Recession is Bullhonkey Paulas Story - When I Grow Up This is part of  The Recession is Bullhonkey series, where I share stories of those who have gotten hired and/or started their own businesses (or sometimes both!) since 2008. This is former client upcoming  CreativeLive interviewee,  Paula Jenkins.  She titled this post The Dream is Free, The Hustle is Sold Separately and youll soon read  how she landed 4 jobs in the past 4 years! It was October of 2010 and wed just had our son the month before. I was out to dinner with some friends after going to a retreat with them. My friend Kevin was talking about his job, at a credit union, and how hed just gotten promoted to a VP spot. Do you need any project managers? I blurted out, knowing I had no desire to return to the job Id left. The commute, the hot and cold nature of the three owners, the long hours of advertising. All of it left me feeling empty or angry, depending on the day. I could not face going back there. Actually, Kevin said, We do have a PM thats going out on maternity leave in January and we need someone to cover her projects for three or four months. It would be freelance. My heart skipped a beat. Yes!   And a new adventure! I was totally in. I loved that job. It was a challenge; so different than my previous experience in advertising, with lots of technical details. And, day after day, I felt good knowing that the products I was working on (their website, and later their business banking products) was directly impacting the members. (our word for customers). Then, oh that recession. It hit us, and my significant other lost his job in the following February. We were stretched thin, financially. After a few months, Sean decided that instead of going back to being a store manager, he wanted to go to school for training as a chef. I was excited for him, and we agreed it was a really great direction for him, and for us. That June we bought a house (getting a great rate from my employer!), and by December finances were stretched so thin that I knew I had to go find a job that paid more. Once again, I reached out to friends and former clients and everyone I knew, and found another job. It was a digital marketing position with a major corporation. When the job turned out to be very different than what had been explained to me, I picked up looking for work again. Six months later I landed yet another position, this time at an ad agency, working for a former boss. Since 2010, Ive had four jobs, all of my own choosing, and I left each on my own terms. Ive heard that there is a growing need for project managers, but to be honest, not all of my roles have been traditional PM positions. I chalk my success in being able to find new jobs in part to my laser-like focus on the job hunt itself, and to having some serious motivation to keep looking for something that was a better fit. My desire to have more time with my son, and to be home for dinner with my son and my fiance the chef proved to be a serious motivator. My advice and reflections on finding a job in this so-called recession: 1. Network, network, network. Each time, with getting a new job, the network of people I know helped me find a new position. I tried to keep conversations light and casual, and got over being sheepish about asking if friends and acquaintances knew of open jobs. Even when a person didnt know of an opening, they sometimes offered to be a reference to introduce me to someone else they knew! Perfect! 2. Make it easy for your network to promote you. Be specific with them about what you are asking them to do for you. I sent emails or set up calls with people I know to tell people what I was looking for, and I was specific with them about the kind of help I was hoping to get from them. I researched companies on LinkedIn to see who in my own network knew people there, and then Id make a specific request to be introduced to the recruiters or hiring managers by my contact. Knowing my friends and network contacts are busy, I tried to make promoting me easy for them. I always attached a new resume, gave them a cover letter to cut and paste. And I always, always sent a thank you to my own network, and to anyone Id been introduced to by someone in my network. 3. Treat everyone you meet at a potential employer as if they alone have the ability to make the decision to hire you.  When looking for a new job, I follow up. I send thank you notes to every person I meet. I go out of my way to keep selling myself, in every interaction and with each piece of correspondence. The goal in the interviewing phase is land the job, and so each time I interacted with someone at that potential employer, I was in sell mode. Having hired quite a few people, I know that teams talk about candidates, they often rank candidates. My goal was to give each person a reason to say I liked her, I connected with her, and I think we should hire her. 4. Accept the help the individuals in your network are willing to give. Some people are natural connectors. Some people are the types that naturally offer to help. I learned to accept those offers, even when they came from people that I was only acquaintances with. I figured if they were willing to help sell me in to an employer, it was worth giving it a shot. 5. Be yourself in the interviews. As much as I was aware to be hyper-polite, warm, and engaging, in this last round of job hunting, I also made a point to be 100% authentic about who I am. It turns out my current employer loved me for my personality (along with my work history and skills), but having had a rather inflexible project manager in my spot previously, they wanted someone who could laugh, who could cheer a team on, who was fun to work with, and who could back that up with skill. They picked me over someone with a PhD because they liked me. 6. Dont give up, and KNOW that a good job is waiting for you out there! Paula  Jenkins is a mother to a 4 year old son, a retreat leader on weekends, and by day a project manager at a credit union. She has big plans to begin studying to be a life coach starting in January. You can follow her adventures on her blog at  www.welcomingspirit.net. Wanna hear more from Paula? Then tune in to my CreativeLive class at the 10am Pacific hour on Sept 12th,  where Ill be interviewing her during the Feel The Career Fear And Do It Anyway  segment.