The Olympics inspire all but the most hardened of us to want to be better. Maybe we admire the athletes’ fitness and consider starting a regime of our own. Perhaps we use them as a model for our kids of how perseverance can bring rewards. But what can they teach us about success in business? … [Read more...]
So, you have survived another trade show! Hopefully you got some great leads, connected with customers and learned some best practices from the seminars. Hey, I bet you even had a little fun! In this three-part series, we have explored how to maximize your trade show presence with proper planning and execution. You know what's next! Evaluation! Even though the trade show is officially over, there are still ways to capitalize on your time and financial investment. … [Read more...]
It’s no secret that social media is ubiquitous. Just over the week of the Fourth of July -- from the blow up of San Diego’s fireworks show to the TomKat breakup -- chances are good you got the latest news from Twitter or Facebook. Entertainment value aside, social media savvy can have a major impact on your career. Too many people, though, don’t take the time to evaluate their voice and make the most of the various platforms available. … [Read more...]
How much more often do we hear the word “career” instead of “vocation”? Why is that? While a career holds its own importance—the most obvious is earning an income—a person’s vocation evokes inmost gifts, abilities, passions, dreams and broader life purpose. So, what exactly is a vocation? The Latin root word—“vocationem”— means “a calling”. Vocation is an occupation that someone feels strongly about doing, despite monetary gain or other influences. Therefore, … [Read more...]
When you go to college, it is very easy to get into a routine. You have your class schedule, friends, and a hangout. You may even live on campus and eat at the cafeteria. That will all change as you leave college though and enter the workforce. While this is going to be exciting, it will also present its challenges. For most people, the logical step after leaving college is to find a job. Getting your information out there in the form of a resume and a job application is very important. Yet … [Read more...]
Careers for People Who Really Want to Make a Positive Impact on the World If you want to get involved and make the world a better place, there are numerous careers that might be right for you. Teachers, nurses, counselors, and police officers are a few of the dedicated folks who make a positive impact everyday. Let's take a look at some other careers fields that might spark your interest. … [Read more...]
Rules about internships may make it harder for companies to find student workers who can provide services without pay, but the real question about internships is how to make them fit into your career goal and a real, paying job. Labor department officials have said that internships without pay are going to be difficult, and that's all well and good. But if you're looking to gain experience you need to be able to demonstrate that your internship actually helped develop your skills. Perhaps … [Read more...]
You might have heard of the concept of a “career plan” – something that you put in place to help figure out what steps you’ll take to achieve your long term career goals. I don’t know about you, but it sure sounds scary to me. I’m supposed to figure out where my career will be 40 years from now? Give me a break! By the way, I did coach a gentleman who had a 25 year career plan. Really. It shocked me, too. But his frustration was that reality wasn’t lining up according to his … [Read more...]
I live in the northern Midwest, which, contrary to its placid reputation, is actually a land of extremes. In the summer, temperatures regularly reach the 90s and the corn grows as high as an elephant’s eye would be, if we actually had elephants roaming the Wisconsin plains. … [Read more...]
Jim was a typical college grad today. Smart, resourceful, and pretty savvy on the computer. He was enthusiastic and eager to learn. Everyone who interviewed him at his current employer had agreed he was the right candidate for the job. His first few months at his new job were great. He found the work interesting and his co-workers and manager encouraged him to share his thoughts and provide ideas and input for improving their projects. In Jim's mind, his career was starting off nicely. But … [Read more...]
