Freakin Cool Networking Opportunities

Freakin Cool Networking Opportunities There are three networking opportunities that I imposed on others in the last few months. As Ive thought about the dynamics of what happened it really made me think how cool it was that I was so imposing A blogger got a comment on a thread that I had commented on. I asked the blogger to introduce me to the other commenter (who left a name but not way to contact him). I asked a buddy that I networked into last year for a perspective that could only come from someone within his company (but not him). I asked a friend for information about company sponsorships he is not a decision-maker with regard to sponsorships but surely would know who was. In each case I was asking for my network contacts to hook me up. Heres the interesting thing: in every case they did not know the person that I needed to talk to. This presents an interesting decision. Do they say sorry Jason, I dont really know that person I cant help you. Or do they say, Im not sure what I can do but Ill try and get you a connection give me a few days. I realize there are various factors to make this decision the biggest two are (a) how well do they know (and trust in) me, and (b) how comfortable are they in meeting new people? So the blanket answer to this really is it depends. But here is what I would do. I would take the opportunity to grow my own network and try and make the connection. Why? Its easier to go to someone that you dont know with a purpose: I know a guy that would really like to talk with someone about xyz stuff I immediately thought of you. Can I put you in touch with him? This puts you on their radar and if the meeting that you facilitate goes well (in other words, if I impress him, or in some way add value to his job or network) then you just got some relationship goodwill out of your role. You can become a power connector. No, its not always easy it can be scary. Sometimes you will be very uncomfortable as you try and develop richer, deeper relationships. But I bet its worth it. I will continue to impose like this because I need my network to grow and I realize its a great opportunity for others to nurture relationships. This, imho, is a freakin cool networking opportunity for everyone involved Have you had to get to know someone better before, at the request of one of your network contacts? Was it a good thing? Freakin Cool Networking Opportunities There are three networking opportunities that I imposed on others in the last few months. As Ive thought about the dynamics of what happened it really made me think how cool it was that I was so imposing A blogger got a comment on a thread that I had commented on. I asked the blogger to introduce me to the other commenter (who left a name but not way to contact him). I asked a buddy that I networked into last year for a perspective that could only come from someone within his company (but not him). I asked a friend for information about company sponsorships he is not a decision-maker with regard to sponsorships but surely would know who was. In each case I was asking for my network contacts to hook me up. Heres the interesting thing: in every case they did not know the person that I needed to talk to. This presents an interesting decision. Do they say sorry Jason, I dont really know that person I cant help you. Or do they say, Im not sure what I can do but Ill try and get you a connection give me a few days. I realize there are various factors to make this decision the biggest two are (a) how well do they know (and trust in) me, and (b) how comfortable are they in meeting new people? So the blanket answer to this really is it depends. But here is what I would do. I would take the opportunity to grow my own network and try and make the connection. Why? Its easier to go to someone that you dont know with a purpose: I know a guy that would really like to talk with someone about xyz stuff I immediately thought of you. Can I put you in touch with him? This puts you on their radar and if the meeting that you facilitate goes well (in other words, if I impress him, or in some way add value to his job or network) then you just got some relationship goodwill out of your role. You can become a power connector. No, its not always easy it can be scary. Sometimes you will be very uncomfortable as you try and develop richer, deeper relationships. But I bet its worth it. I will continue to impose like this because I need my network to grow and I realize its a great opportunity for others to nurture relationships. This, imho, is a freakin cool networking opportunity for everyone involved Have you had to get to know someone better before, at the request of one of your network contacts? Was it a good thing?

Its time to celebrate your accomplishments ladies! (VIDEO) - Classy Career Girl

Its time to celebrate your accomplishments ladies! (VIDEO) Career Tip of the Day: Focus On Your Accomplishments. Career Tip of the Day: Today I want you to focus on your accomplishments, not your mistakes and everything that has gone wrong. Often (as women) we focus so much on what went wrong and our mistakes that we forget to celebrate all of the awesome things we are doing! This is why every morning I write down three success I had the previous  day. Write down today what has gone really well this year. What have your accomplishments been lately? After you do this,  then we can start thinking about what you want to accomplish next year. Yes 2015 is already upon us! So what have been your big accomplishments in 2014? I want to know! Share in the comments! Here are a few of mine: 1) Pushing out a baby  (no meds..holymoley! Accomplishment of a lifetime actually!) 2) Speaking internationally in Brazil. 3) Publishing a book. Woohoo! What are yours? P.S. Just opened! Create a Career or Business You Love in 2015 complimentary coaching sessions.  Check it out here!

Your Career Investment Required

Your Career Investment Required Perhaps you are considering a job moveor you are thinking about re-entering the workforce after time away.  Maybe  you are ready to pursue a  move up the corporate ladder you want to take on a larger roleyou want to make more money or you are considering a completely new career path. Regardless, all of the above scenarios mean you will need to employ job search skills and dust off your career tools to position yourself as the top candidate. Have you been investing in career management to help you get ahead?   Here are some of the key areas that require constant investment: Job search skills and planning Do you have a clear goal of where you want to be and what position you want to target?  This is essential step #1.   Create and upkeep a career management plan. Next, what actions are you going to take to ensure you get noticed and hired!? This is a multi-step process. If your idea of job searching is to simply mass-apply to jobs on the internet, you might find yourself frustrated, fast. The majority of positions are not advertised; you have to get up and get out there.   And if you are targeting roles without being a qualified match, you wont generate results. A better job search strategy is to build and foster a network.   Ask your contacts for information, opportunities, or leads.   Explore internal company referrals as those yield a much higher return on investment.   Truly, you need to diversify your approach.Next, understand what you are selling.   If you are the commodity an employer is looking to buy, what makes you unique and worth taking on?   Are you prepared to compete against other savvy job seekers who have assessed, gathered evidence, and practiced their personal value presentation?   You need to be! Career tools Todays job search toolbox should include a standout and well-tailored resume and cover letter, polished interview skills, strong online presence (LinkedIn profile!), and refined networking ability. Employers will research you.   Are you aware of what they will find out about you online? Finally, are you prepared to speak on any barriers (recent lay off, employment gap, career transition) with confidence? Fully invest in your career by being job search savvy! If you are missing any of the essential steps or tools above then you could be gambling with your job, your potential livelihood, and even your dream. Think about the wasted time, energy, effort, and money if you get stuck in a lengthy job search.   What if you are missing out on career opportunities because you didnt invest in the skills to succeed?   How will your self-esteem be affected if you don’t get called for interviews? What will happen to your career goals if you cant move forward? Before you start a job search prepare and invest.and then continue to invest in career management so you can be ready to launch a job search at the drop of a hat should the need arise.Never assume that job search skills and career tools are something you might need.   Have them ready. It is well-known that job seekers who have a willingness to invest their time, energy, and money into their job search are far more successful.  Seek out resources and professionals that can give you an advantage, set you apart, and help you stand out.

Book Giveaway The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men

Book Giveaway The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men Hi friends!  To celebrate my book coming out on Monday, I am  giving away 5 ebook copies of my brand new book,  The Professional Womans Guide to Managing Men  to celebrate!  You must act quick though since you have to enter before midnight, Pacific on Sunday, Feb 9th! In the book I share with you my secrets to leadership success, gleaned from my years of management experience in a male dominated field. Let me show you how to utilize the unique strengths you have right now, and instill in you the confidence to be the best leader at work tomorrow. If youve ever thought that men can seem difficult to figure out, let alone manage, then this guide is for you. Through step-by-step exercises and practical techniques, I will demonstrate the most effective ways to communicate with and manage your male employees. This straight-talking guide will take you through exercises to help conquer the perfectionism that undermines so many of our careers. Youll learn to assert and promote yourself,  and to coach your team to be successful in their own careers, establishing their trust along the way. Finally, you’ll learn what not to do when managing men and how to expertly handle management situations you might have floundered in. This would be a great book for your digital bookshelf.  Good luck! Here are the ways you can win a copy of this book enter using Rafflecopter below: Like  Classy Career Girl on Facebook Follow me on Twitter  @classycareer Tweet about this giveaway (make sure you mention @classycareer and #managingmenbook) Leave a comment below telling us the biggest challenge you face working with men. a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway is open internationally. It begins NOW and ends at midnight, Pacific on February 9th, 2014. We will be giving away 5 digital copies of my new book. The winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. Good luck!

Top 5 Leadership Skills of a Small Business CEO CareerMetis.com

Top 5 Leadership Skills of a Small Business CEO â€" CareerMetis.com Cultivating and leading a small business is no doubt a challenge, but having a clear set of values helped me dissolve that overwhelming feeling of, “Oh gosh, how do I do this?” while turning my dream into a flourishing startup that I’m proud to be a part of.Whether you’re looking to move your small business out of your home and into the city, or you’re simply pushing to improve your management skills, here are a few tidbits to help steer you to success.1) Be Curious and Practice Frequent CommunicationevalClassic, I know. I’m sure this one was expected, but I propose a different style of communication. Rather than sit in my office and wait for employees to come to me as a last resort for help, I constantly check in on my team.I once read that you should be out of your office and on your feet more often than not, so as to ensure quality communication and a refocus on a common goal. While this might be a great way to meet the recommended goal of 10,000 steps a day, I don’t believe you need to sacrifice your own time in the office because I know you’ve got tasks and goals just like the next person.With that said, I do suggest getting out of your office at least once a day to seek a face-to-face update from each individual teammate. When you’re genuinely curious about someone’s work, they eagerly open upâ€"no prying requiredâ€"conversely making the whole communication thing much more effortless.2) Focus on Internal and External TransparencyI don’t want you to go shouting your plans, goals, and secrets from the rooftops, but I do suggest you drop any unnecessary confidentiality. No one wants to work with a shady business or person, so don’t let that be you or your company.Be honest and upfront in as many situations as possible. It will gain your trust, avoid any miscommunication, and allow for constant feedback.When it comes down to it, the direction is good and so is an outcome that your client actually wants. That being said, not only should you be transparent with clients, but you should also be open with your employees so that everyone is on the same page and the company grows together.Thus, if you have a plan, first make sure your team is up to date, then explain it to your client thoroughly:This is the plan we agreed on.Here are the steps you and I must take to make it happen.If we follow these steps here is what the result should be.Should the plan fail to pan out as it expected, here are possible causes.We will update you frequently, and we ask that you update us as well because this is a partnership.evalVoila! We’ve seamlessly implemented the first tip, regarding communication, into the second tip! These things are not mutually exclusive.3) Trust Your Employees and Their Unique VisionEvery team member was hired for a specific, valid, and unique reasonâ€"trust in that. Embrace the idiosyncrasies of each employee, since this will keep your company fresh while reminding your workers that they add value to the bus iness.Few people want to feel like they signed up for a position that offers no room for a personal touch, because if you don’t want their unique contribution, some other company will.Justas a parent may want to hover over a child and dictate their every move, it would drive both parties insane, while simultaneously leaving no room for the child to explore their individual creativity.evalAs the old saying goes, “Two minds are better than one,” so fight any urge to micromanage, because it will only lead to unnecessary stress, stale ideas, and unhappy employees.4) Value Critical Thinking and Honor the OutcomeThis is a skill I was taught at a young age and one that I still implement in and out of the workplace today. To critically think is to take a problem or conflict and break it down, recognizing various solutions, weighing the pros and cons of those solutions, and settling on the best resolution to your knowledge.I make certain that my team knows that no decision will be met with punishment so long as it is the product of critical thought and results in an outcome that they truly believed was most suitable given the situation.Let’s bounce back to that parenting metaphor: if a child has a valid reason for coloring a picture on your wall, it’s unfair to get upset with them. The best you can do is either view those crayon squiggles as a serendipitous masterpiece or give the child a piece of paper to color on next time.It might not be the way you would color a picture, but to them, it was a genius idea that simply spruced up the walls.Thisalso goes back to the previous tidbit: as a leader,you must trust your employees If a sports team waited until the win to celebrate, they wouldn’t win very often.Similarly, if your company team waits until the win to feel accomplished, you’ll find that your business doesn’t make it to the championships. The more often you can increase morale, the better off the office environment will be, the happier your employe es will feel, and the more successful your company will experience.