ROADBLOCK SERIES #2:  FEAR.  FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

Overcoming FEAR takes work.  Two kinds of it actually: net and team. 

Just the phrase “Fear of the Unknown” seems to be a little confusing.  Why do we respond with fear to an unknown situation?  Is this the appropriate response?  The problem is that we don’t know the proper response.  So, we naturally protect ourselves and treat the situation as a threat. 

Responding with fear is a conditioned response.  When we get ourselves in situations where we don’t have enough information to determine what we should feel, we condition ourselves to respond with fear. 

So, how do we break this trend?  One way is to get more information.  In any situation you get in, there is probably someone else who has been in that situation and has experience with it.  This is the source of your information.

Network.  No matter what situation I get in, I connect with others who  have ‘been there and done that.’  I ask them to share their experiences, including what worked, what didn’t, how they felt, and what they learned.  All of this information helps me form a clearer picture of what to expect.  This way, I don’t let my mind fill in the gaps with information that may be inaccurate and result in a fear that convinces me not to take chances.  Chances that could make me more successful in things I do.

When I was writing my first book, I didn’t know anyone who had done it before.  I knew very little of the process.  The questions I had were overwhelming.  There were so many questions I didn’t know where to begin. So I just wrote down the biggest ones.  Then, I went online and found the contact information for other authors.  I emailed or called them and asked my questions.   The more I did this, the easier it got.  Why?  I was making the unfamiliar, familiar.  That’s what it takes.  Now, I have a lot of connections to authors and no fear of the process.

Teamwork.  Finding people who will share their experiences is a good approach to eradicating fear.  However, there are times I want a quick answer to my questions and networking to find that someone who can provide the solution may take longer than I want.  To overcome the latency in finding answers, I created a team of people similar to myself.  We are all driven to succeed, motivated to try and eager to learn.  We share our thoughts and dreams.  Then, we help each other bring those dreams out of the darkness and into reality. 

When I face a new situation, I refer to my team members who share their thoughts and feelings on the situation.  Even if they haven’t experienced a similar situation, they provide additional insight.  My fear of the situation can only drive me from my experiences.  Since my team isn't experiencing this fear,  they are a little more open-minded and are able to provide a more realistic assessment.  Again, this fills in the gaps in my mind, releasing me of the fear of what I don’t know, because now I have a better idea of what to expect.

Eradicating fear can be done by simply informing yourself.  If you don’t have the information, find those twho do.  Filling the gaps in your mind will provide you enough information to create the correct response, which is, you don’t need to fear anything.

Remember, erase fear with work.  Network and teamwork are great solutions.

ROADBLOCK SERIES #1: GOALS

In the last post, we presented the results of our survey that defined many ROADBLOCKS to our career success.   Now we will start a series of posts that will provide the information you need to overcome each ROADBLOCK.

Here’s the first post in the series.

ROADBLOCKS:  Establish and Focus on Your Goals

Why define goals? 

Have you ever shopped at the grocery store when you forgot your shopping list at home?  You couldn’t remember everything you needed so you had to leave knowing you didn’t get it all.  Maybe you felt a little disappointed.  Depending on what you forgot, you may have had to make a second ‘unplanned’ trip. 

Two important points here.  The first is that you created more work for yourself by forgetting what you needed.  The second is that depending on what activity you’re engaged in, you may only get one opportunity.  If the previous example was your only opportunity, such as making the most of a networking opportunity with executives, you missed it. 

You have a great resource that can overcome these obstacles; that is, your subconscious.  However, to set it on its journey to find you success, you need to tell it where you want to go.   

                                                                  

The subconscious.  It’s where you keep long-term memories that affect your behavior, such as fear.  It is also the source of your creativity and intuition.  It has the ability to make sense out of environmental cues and patterns that our conscious mind isn’t aware of.  Your subconscious has a great deal of mental ability.  If you’ve ever solved a problem in your sleep, you’ve had a glimpse at what it can do.  But there’s much more to it. 

By defining your goals, or building your roadmap to success, you give you subconscious everything it needs to guide you on the path.  You just need to take a little conscious thought and put it on paper.  Read it out loud to yourself to engage your whole brain and engrave into your subconscious.  Then you go about your normal daily routines.  You don’t have to actively think about opportunities because your subconscious will do that for you. 

Things change and so will your plans, if you want them to. You just need to keep track of your needs and desires to make sure your goals coincide with them. 

Defining major goals.  As previously mentioned, you should focus on your needs and desires.  Write them down.  Then, define ways to meet them.  Think broadly.  Maybe you want to be a business owner, actor, or a doctor.  You should define goals that can be measured, tracked and achieved.  A certain amount of reality is important here.  If you want to be a millionaire, realize that may require great sacrifice or risk.  If you know you won’t do it, then don’t set plans for it. 

Defining the path.  With each goal in mind, think of ways to get to each goal.  With these definitions, you should include more clarity by identifying activities that can be engaged to get you closer to the result you want; that is, your goal.  Some goals may require many activities.  Identify them the best you can but realize that your subconscious may later identify a better way to get there.  Writing something down now gives your mind a starting point to begin its creative thought.  Remaining open minded provides your subconscious the real estate it needs to be truly creative.

Defining the timeline.   After you have activities listed, try to put an amount of time down to achieve it.  Pick a date on the calendar.  This will serve to motivate you to complete it.  Please note this requires discipline.  I wrote my first book in 3 years.  I can’t tell you how many times I stopped and started again.  Many times I struggled to figure out where I left off and what my trail of thought was at the time I last worked on it.  However, I was determined to finish it and I did.  Push yourself to complete the activities. 

Celebrate.  Once you complete an activity, celebrate it.  Too many times we try similar things looking for different results.  This disappointment forces us to create the belief that engaging in the activity is pointless and will be fruitless.  Celebrating your successes keeps you upbeat and motivated to continue.  You won’t achieve your goals without disappointments but you don’t have to let them keep you from getting there.

Focus.  As I learned with my book, focus is difficult.  I’m married with 3 small kids so I didn’t have to create an excuse to not work on the book.  Excuses were everywhere.  So, I chose to share my career map with my closest friends and family.  I used them to keep me on track and schedule.  You see, I didn’t won’t to be seen as a slacker or disappoint my closest friends. They motivated me to continue.  I encouraged them to praise me when I did well and chastise me when I did poorly.  Open yourself up to those around you.  You’ll be surprised to find that many will help you achieve your goals.  Just show passion and drive for your goals.  People respond well to it.

You go to the grocery store with a list in such a simple activity.   Yet, many choose to go without one in the most important things they will do in life.  We can’t define the map to your success for you but we can help you get there.  

 

What's holding you back from achieving your career goals?

In a recent survey, business professionals were asked about the barriers to achievinggthe career success they desire.  Of the 70 respondents, here's what they identified as the biggest roadblocks to success.

Roadblock #1:  The failure to clearly establish and focus on their bigger life goals from a physical, emotional, and spiritual perspective.

Roadblock #2:  Fear.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of leaving your comfort zone.

Roadblock #3:  Everyone should make plans in his/her professional career and make improvements.  Most people don't.

Roadblock #4:  No Right Opportunity - not being able to be at the right place at the right time with the right contact.

Roadblock #5:  Certifications and training.

Roadblock #6:  Too much competition for a single job posting.

Roadblock #7: I am in a different place in my life and don't spend enough much time focusing on my career.                                         
                                                                 
Roadblock #8:  Embarassment and risk.

Roadblock #9:  It's more and more difficult to 'shine'.

Roadblock #10:  I make "too much money" to change jobs.

Roadblock #11:  Current position has not provided any real hard skills that translate to the corporate world.

Roadblock #12:  Competing with recent graduates.

Roadblock #13:  Can't market my soft skills well enough.

Roadblock #14:  Effective networking with the key decision makers.



Getting around your roadblocks isn't hard.  You just have to have a straegy that contians several methods for dealing with barriers.  One good approach is the Blitz Approach.  It's an innovative team-based approach for getting ahead in business.  You can read more about this at www.happyabout.info/blitz.php.

                                                            

The next issue of Personal Branding Magazine is set to be released on May 1st, but you can download a free sample copy early (starting today) if you want. The focus for this issue is on the future of recruiting and jobs. The 9-page sample issue has 5 articles and is a great read. The full issue will have 25 articles including an exclusive and in-depth interview with Robert McGovern, founder of Jobfox.com and Careerbuilder.com. It also includes interviews with Indeed founder Paul Forster and well-known bloggers, such as Joel Cheesman.

Publishers Note: Volume 1 Issue 4 ends the first full volume of Personal Branding Magazine. As personal branding becomes the differentiator for career development, many new channels have opened up and the internet is a recruiting stomping ground for all those who leverage it’s power. Between hiring candidates websites, and even job aggregators, the times have changed and we must be ready. Human resources is rapidly evolving by branding their companies as the employer of choice and there is a sudden war for talent, despite an economic recession in the United States. In this issue, we interview all the thought leaders who are entering the online recruiting and branding space, as well as take a closer look as to how networking plays a role in bridging recruiters with interested applicants. Only the strongest employers and candidates will survive. By reading this issue, you will have the knowledge needed in order to confront the recruitment process and be victorious…Dan Schawbel, Publisher, Personal Branding Magazine

As I discuss in my book, Blitz the Ladder, Personal branding is an important aspect of your career that we all must manage and it has a huge impact on how we are perceived. The magazine takes a look at each of those areas, and gives thoughts and ideas on how we can best use personal branding in those arenas. This issue’s focus on recruitment really brings home the point that how we brand ourselves in one area can spill over and effect our chances at being hired in another area.

Click here to get the free sample issue.

The full issue will be available here as of May 1, 2008.
(An annual subscription costs $12.95 for 4 issues, and 50% of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society)

Never Climb Alone,
Todd

The blue collar workers aren't the only ones who will feel the pinch of global competition. Three major forces have been born that will deliver a swift and painful blow to many professional workers; that is, transoceanic fiber-optic cable, the communications satellite, and the Internet.  These technologies make it easy to link China or India to the US.  This can be done at little cost.  With company executives watching costs more than anything, you know what this will mean.

Offshoring manufacturing was painful for many but will pale in comparison to what is expected for the WCWs.  During the struggle with Japan decades ago, American incomes exceeded Japan's by a ratio of 2 to 1.  Of course, the services battle is now with India, where the American to Indian ratio is 10 to 1.  Sure this s1peaks good news for the American economy and many will gain greatly from this outsourcing of labor.  But the ones who lose their jobs or suffer from pay cuts will pay a bigger price. 

During the manufacturing rush abroad, manufacturing jobs only accounted for 28% of all non-farm jobs. However, today, the service jobs constitute about 83% of all non-farm jobs.  That's a much big potential hit to the American working population.  

Lastly, this impact will be a price paid by employees, not the employer.  Years ago with the foreign car import crisis (if you can call it that), companies and executives alike felt the financial brunt.  This time, executives will gain from the reduction in cost in using foreign labor but the employees of the company will pay the price. 

The big point to understand here is that it's not so critical the number of jobs lost, 3.3 million by 2018 according to Forrester Research, but the impact on real wages for American employees.  Why? Well, each year we'll have more and more Americans competing among more and more Indians who will work for a tenth or a fifth less.

According to Stephen Cohen and Bradford Delong, both from UC Berkeley, career transition assistance, government funding and portable benefits will be crucial to ensuring worker flexibility.  They anticipate that the upcoming shockwave will be greater than any other in US history.  At least, you now have signs to watch for.

Of course, you can always begin building your Blitz team now and use them to help you figure out how to stay off any future potential impacts.

Todd

"Never Climb Alone" 

S. Cohen and B. Delong, "Shaken and Stirred," State of the Union January/February 2005 Atlantic Monthly. <http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200501/cohen>.

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Last  week the Associated Press reported gave us some unfortunate news that could eventually create problems for our career mobility.  According to them, "Worker productivity, the key factor in rising living standards, slowed sharply in the final three months of the year while wage pressures increased." This isn't much of a surprise to me.  Who doesn't want more for doing less?  Alone, this drop in productivity isn't so bad.  However, couple it with the news that the service sector shrank for the first time in five years, and you've got yourself some real news.  People have already been converted or seen the light.  Many economists are now trying to figure out the size of the impending recession.  They aren't debating whether or not it's coming. They've accepted that.

So what does this have to do with your career (before the recession)?  Read my post about recession proofing your career.  It's now time act.  If you are waiting for a sign....here it is! 

I'm often confused by recessions and other financial castrophies since I'm always struggling whether they are a consequence of real events that certainly lead to the failure or whether we just panic so much we create it.  Either way, you better be prepared.  With the talk of recession, people will begin responding. Eventually, all bad news comes from the looming financial disaster.  It will just keep building and building.  It's like finding the 'resonant frequency' of a bridge.  You shake it until you hit the frequency.  Then, the bridge takes over and violently shakes itself apart.  The point is....don't shake it, you might find it!

There's certainly a new trend in business as companies continue to find new ways to reduce cost.  The biggest cost factors are benefits and employees.  For the first factor, I'm not sure anyone knows how to reduce it.  Healthcare costs constantly rise with little to no opposition.  So, organizations can reduce coverage on their plans to reduce cost but that's about it.  The second factor has more potential for reducing cost.  Let's take a closer glimpse.

In a trend that has about 12% of the population, organizations are evolving into what is known as the 'Virtual Organization,' or VO.  Experts anticipate that 40% of employees will be in VOs by 2012.  Companies say that this arrangement allows them to be more timely and responsive to customers around the world, while keeping costs down.

So, what is this arrangement you say?  After coming through the 'downsizing' trend of the 1990's and into a service economy, organizations are using expertise from all over the world to support its operations.  They are creating virtual teams, which are geographically dispersed workers connected through communication and information technology, to accomplish tasks closer to the customer and to tap into better expertise.  For example, if I make a product in China, I don't need a lot of employees in the US to support the build of the product.  I can contract experts in China to support the manufacturing process and keep a small number of employees here in the US to support other functions such as introduction of new technology, obsolescence, etc.   Those contracted experts can respond faster to a problem and I don't have to pay their benefits.

VOs also use mobile workers, telecommuters, telecenters, hot desking and hoteling to support its operations.  Most of these aid in cost reduction.  If most of my workers are traveling or work outisde the home office, then the home office doesn't need to be big enough to support everyone.  This reduces cost of my office space.

All of these provide more flexibility to your work schedule and less management oversight.  We can't say this will make your workday shorter but it should give you less stress.  If you are just seeking a better work-life balance, this is the way to go.  If you're seeking to move up the corporate ladder, like in a traditional organization, you've got a whole new list of challenges.

The career implications of VOs aren't so bright, at first.  Most of us know that sufficient 'face time' with management can improve your career mobility.  But what happens when you work in a company that mobile and you're on the go?  When  you are off-site and the boss is in the main office tending to issues, how do you impress them?  Are you simply "out of site, out of mind."  How do you get additional training or tasks to build new skill sets?  Is there any career development?

As a growing structure, VOs are still being figured out.  One thing is true.  Executives see some serious potential savings so they will continue to push for this.  As for you and your career, you'll want to become better acquainted with this organizational form and how you can use it to maintain your competitiveness.  There are few things that can help you out.  I'll present many of these soon in my upcoming book.

Never Climb Alone,
Todd

In my recent visit to a major PC manufacturer, I was amazed at the global diversity of its operations.  With operations in multiple different countries, the parent company employees find themselves with less and less personal interactions in the course of their normal business day.  A lot of communication is electronic or face-to-face at another company such as a branch office, subcontractor or supplier.  So I asked some of the employees "how could someone climb the corporate ladder in such a virtual environment?"  The answer was simply to take on more work.  An "eager" individual could choose to manage more projects or initiatives, increasing their visibility to more people.  This should remind you of the presidential campaigns.  You get more votes by visiting more people in more locations. 

For those seeking a work-life balance or some resemblance of a life outside of work, this can present somewhat of a challenge.  How do you actually gain any career mobility in such diverse organizations?  Most large organizations are already in this situation or trending towards it to increase their profit margins, the outlook that it will change anytime soon is bleak. 

Naturally all of us would like to achieve continued success in our careers for which we all define the amount of work we will put into it to achieve it.  For me, I'm usually seeking it in many different arenas at the same time in hopes something pays off.  Yet, I still love my free time.

So how do we maintain a balance and still achieve continued success?  It starts with finding more efficient ways to do what it takes to be more successful.  Very few argue the importance of establishing a personal brand.  When you don't have a lot of interaction with management, you need a great brand to speak for you. 

With Mass branding techniques, you can create your brand by maximizing its exposure.  An easy way to think about it is to watch the news to see how the politicians promote themselves.  They campaign but do it in a way that reaches the most people in a single event.  Trying to improve your brand in the normal course of daily interaction with those in your company will take too long, even if you live there.  So, build your brand faster by using these Mass Branding techniques.

1.  Speaking.  This can be inside the company (e.g. you give a training class) or outside the company (e.g. church, toastmasters, schools).  Never pass up on a chance to captivate an audience.  Just by taking the opportunity you show that you aren't afraid of the "lime light."  It shows you can handle pressure and stress.  You don't have to be a great speaker.  You can treat it just like a normal conversation.  You can even engage the audience by asking them questions, which takes the light off of you.

2.  Volunteering.  Companies are run by people.  People live in neighborhoods.  Neighborhoods engage in activities that support their ideals, values and quest for happiness.  Inclusion in such activities provides opportunity to create and share ideas, learn and let people know who you are.  A friend of mine managed a fundraiser that included a 5k fun run.  He took the opportunity to speak to everyone before the race.  He had the stage in front of hundreds of people.  These are the opportunities you need to seek out.  Volunteer in neighborhoods and events that you feel have the audience you need.  Then, wow them.

3.  Writing.  The Internet is the best place to reach a vast audience quickly.  Creating your brand couldn't be easier.  Take every opportunity to write comments on blogs.  But not just any blog.  Find the most popular ones.  That increases visibility.  Make connections with those popular authors and share your purpose.  Create your own blog or website.  People will help you promote yourself.  Make connections. Just be willing to help them in return.  Promote others.  Share in your success.  Share your knowledge.  Give, give, give and people will respond.

4.  Teaming.  Build your own branding team.  Get together with some friends, create a marketing plan for each of you and then go out and market your brand.  This can be done inside and outside the organization.  Building brand inside an organization is built much faster when someone else is singing your praises.  If it's just you, it sounds like you're just tooting your own horn.  Of course, you can do a little of that too. 

If you look at all four techniques, I named them using action words.  This is because the biggest problem with building a brand is that it takes work.  Work is required to get the word out.  People inside your company don't know that much about you because they don't work directly with you or associate with you on the outside.  People in your neighborhood may not know you because they don't have the opportunity to interface with you.  Make these opportunities.  When you do, make it a big event.  This will help create that brand a lot faster.  It's the best way to form a Career Campaign!

Best of luck and let me know how I can help.

Never Climb Alone,
Todd

 

You hear it everyday on the news.  Over and over, we’re told that all indicators are trending towards a recession.  Some of them certainly are.  We know unemployment is climbing, oil prices are at record levels and the housing market is certainly in pain.  Inflation is at its highest point in 18 years.  If you’re employed, this just means that life will get more expensive.  If you’re unemployed or in an occupation that may get you there during a recession, it’s time for new strategy.

 

Let’s take a look at two things: recession proof jobs and recession proof career strategy.

 

Recession Proof Jobs.  Rather than waste your time reading a lot of text, here’s a list of jobs/industries that are usually safe in a recession.  While no industry is completely immune, these are safer than most.

 

• Healthcare
• Clean Technology
• Information Technology
• Sales
• Marketing
• Federal Government

 

If you’re unemployed or seeking a change, you may want to get into one of these industries before the recession.  Afterwards, it’s…..well, you know….impossible.

 

Recession Proof Career Strategy.  If you have a good job and don’t want to change it but are a little worried about the impact of a recession, here’s a technique that will ensure you aren’t on the top of the ‘hit’ list. 

 

The approach described here is called the Blitz Approach.  It is a team-based method for managing perception.  Most experts will tell you that you don’t need to make drastic changes in how you do your work during a recession.  Experts suggest you continue to meet and exceed expectations.  This is where the Blitz Approach has ‘real’ power.

 

1. This method works at any time and should be implemented as early as possible.  The steps to the approach are 1) define the career strategy/image you want to convey, 2) build a team of supporters such as co-workers, and 3) build and implement a plan to market your value to the company.  Remember, being average doesn’t necessarily ensure your job safety.  Bragging about your abilities can be irritating but consider what could happen when several people are telling others how good you are.  With so many people saying it, it must be true.  Of course, you’ll be expected to support your team as well.
2. In defining your career strategy or image you want managers to see, it’s important to exhibit value beyond what someone in your position would normally show.  Your managers must think that you are irreplaceable.  Convincing them by yourself is difficult but using others to sing your praises is far more effective and believable.  If you want to be seen as a great team player, then that’s what your team tells everyone.  Naturally, you’ll need to be aware of what they are saying and make sure your actions are in congruence with it.
3. To build a team, you’ll want to select what you may regard as high performers.  These individuals are usually safe in almost all markets.  They are talented, respected and often well-connected.  All of these factors are important to your survival.   You will share your desired image with your team and they will help you mange the implementation of it.  Your team will help you identify the best people in the company to influence.  Make sure you know whether to create a new perception or change an old one.  Your team members can find out what these individuals think of you, then you can figure out what you need to do to create a positive image of yourself.  You’ll also want to tap into the company’s informal networks (or the grapevines).  There are typically 3 of them: advice, communication and trust.  Tap into all of them.  These networks move info faster than email! So make sure you’re using them to send your messages.

If you’re interested in this method, the book will be out soon.  It’s called “Blitz the Ladder.”  I’ll also be posting more on the book’s website and blog.  Stay tuned for more tips.

 

blitztheladder.com