Moving From Corporate Ruins Your Career

Moving From Corporate Ruins Your Career Unfolding more of my story, I want to share part of the demise of my career path from my last company.   Sorry for any ambiguity but I cant tell the whole story here know what I mean? BTW, I share this because I know some of you are thinking about a career path strategy, and wondering if you should stay at corporate or get closer to the customer, out in the field. I had been at the corporate office for all of my career, with a few trips here and there to the field offices.   Even after the IT group that I managed spun off and merged with our software vendor, to form a subsidiary, I stayed at Corporate.   The new president, who was the owner of the software vendor we acquired, would drive about 3 hours each week to come to the corporate office and work there 4 out of 5 days. When he got let go I became the General Manager (I was told I was too young to be the president, and all of the VPs of the parent company would be jealous so I got the generic title that said not quite good enough to be president).   I stayed at the corporate office, even though most of my team was not there.   In fact, there really wasnt anyone in the new company at Corporate with me but I stayed anyway. However, things changed.   Our web team headed to an industry conference, and I got an exciting report about how our new web product was accepted.   I decided it was time for me to leave the corporate office and relocate to the office where the web team was.   Not only was there a lot of excitiment there, this was my specialty, and I felt this was where I needed to be. I was also interested in leaving the small-town where I had been for 9 years and move to a bigger city.   So I, the general manager, moved. And that caused the eventual demise of my career with that company. Even though the main purpose was to be closer to a major profit center (actually, two of the three profit centers) which needed my attention, it was a very poor political move.   I distanced myself from the corporate bureaucrats which was definitely good for productivity and focus. But it was very, very bad for politicking. Not that I recommend you spend all your time, or most of your time, politicking.   But I learned that if there was an opportunity for someone to get facetime with an executive, they will.   And if you dont have enough time with that executive, bad things can happen.   Rumors, misrepresentation, whatever it may be, when you cant represent yourself, other people represent you. And thats what happened to me.   And that is why I lost my job.   Because in a politic-heavy environment, I wasnt involved in politics.   Forgive me for doing the job I was hired to do. So, a rock and a hard place: Rock: stay at corporate, even though its not the place you should be to get the job done the way it should be done. Hard place: moving to do the job you are paid to do, but not having the ability to coddle execs and bosses who rely too much on circumstantial information, while probably suffering from information overload. Without knowing it, I got out of balance, and didnt spend the time to politic as I was trying to stabalize a business. And that led to the phone call when I was terminated. Greatest thing that happened to me, of course. I share this because I know some of you are thinking about a career path strategy, and wondering if you should stay at corporate or get closer to the money, out in the field. Not an easy choice, eh?   What career move have YOU made that was great for the company, but crappy for your career? (photo props: I-heart-god.com) Moving From Corporate Ruins Your Career Unfolding more of my story, I want to share part of the demise of my career path from my last company.   Sorry for any ambiguity but I cant tell the whole story here know what I mean? BTW, I share this because I know some of you are thinking about a career path strategy, and wondering if you should stay at corporate or get closer to the customer, out in the field. I had been at the corporate office for all of my career, with a few trips here and there to the field offices.   Even after the IT group that I managed spun off and merged with our software vendor, to form a subsidiary, I stayed at Corporate.   The new president, who was the owner of the software vendor we acquired, would drive about 3 hours each week to come to the corporate office and work there 4 out of 5 days. When he got let go I became the General Manager (I was told I was too young to be the president, and all of the VPs of the parent company would be jealous so I got the generic title that said not quite good enough to be president).   I stayed at the corporate office, even though most of my team was not there.   In fact, there really wasnt anyone in the new company at Corporate with me but I stayed anyway. However, things changed.   Our web team headed to an industry conference, and I got an exciting report about how our new web product was accepted.   I decided it was time for me to leave the corporate office and relocate to the office where the web team was.   Not only was there a lot of excitiment there, this was my specialty, and I felt this was where I needed to be. I was also interested in leaving the small-town where I had been for 9 years and move to a bigger city.   So I, the general manager, moved. And that caused the eventual demise of my career with that company. Even though the main purpose was to be closer to a major profit center (actually, two of the three profit centers) which needed my attention, it was a very poor political move.   I distanced myself from the corporate bureaucrats which was definitely good for productivity and focus. But it was very, very bad for politicking. Not that I recommend you spend all your time, or most of your time, politicking.   But I learned that if there was an opportunity for someone to get facetime with an executive, they will.   And if you dont have enough time with that executive, bad things can happen.   Rumors, misrepresentation, whatever it may be, when you cant represent yourself, other people represent you. And thats what happened to me.   And that is why I lost my job.   Because in a politic-heavy environment, I wasnt involved in politics.   Forgive me for doing the job I was hired to do. So, a rock and a hard place: Rock: stay at corporate, even though its not the place you should be to get the job done the way it should be done. Hard place: moving to do the job you are paid to do, but not having the ability to coddle execs and bosses who rely too much on circumstantial information, while probably suffering from information overload. Without knowing it, I got out of balance, and didnt spend the time to politic as I was trying to stabalize a business. And that led to the phone call when I was terminated. Greatest thing that happened to me, of course. I share this because I know some of you are thinking about a career path strategy, and wondering if you should stay at corporate or get closer to the money, out in the field. Not an easy choice, eh?   What career move have YOU made that was great for the company, but crappy for your career? (photo props: I-heart-god.com)

Guest Post Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor

Guest Post Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor photo credit: lifemoxie.com Regardless of your field, the competition to find and keep a job, as well as to advance, is fierce. Just staying afloat can be a struggle for those entering into the workforce after graduation and those who are beginning new jobs that they hope to make into a career. As with all things in life, being successful at work is a much smoother process when you ask for guidance from someone who has already been successful. The wisdom and experience of a mentor is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to avoid making rookie mistakes while climbing the professional ladder.  Mentors can guide aspiring professionals in the right direction. They have learned from their own experiences and attained both tangible and mental resources that can be of assistance when starting out in life. Who Would Make a Good Mentor? Choosing a potential mentor is not something that should be taken lightly.  The best mentors are experienced, trustworthy, reliable and even-keeled. They should be pragmatic, objective and logical. They must be willing to be honest with you regarding your ideas and actions, and not be afraid to give you feedback, positive or negative. A mentor must also be someone whom you feel comfortable talking openly with someone with whom you have good rapport. A good mentor will provide guidance, share experiences and help you to structure your professional life in a way that is productive and conducive to advancement.  How to Choose a Career Mentor When choosing a mentor, aim for someone with objectivity. A close friend or family member is less likely to be able to assess your professional life pragmatically and objectively, and, as such, will not be the most effective choice for a mentor. Look for professional contacts instead. How can you know which people in your life right now would be an appropriate choice as a mentor? First, consider your recent educational experience. If there were any teachers or professors who you felt exceptionally close to and whose advice you regarded highly, they may be a good choice. If you have an established position at work, and are looking to restructure your professional life with the goal of advancement, someone in your company who has been in your position and successfully advanced is an excellent option. Keep in mind that this person should not be chosen randomly they should be someone who you are at least acquainted with, like and trust,  and with whom you share mutual respect. Make sure that their reputation with management is also good â€"keeping company with someone who is targeted as an undesirable employee may reflect poorly on your judgment. Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor The next step is asking someone if they would be willing to mentor you. This can be an intimidating step, because you will be conceding a lack of experience and authority to someone you respect. If this step is too hard, you might examine how much you want and need this relationship.  Remember that the person you are asking is someone who should respect you as well; they will likely be honored by your request, even if they do not accept it. When preparing to ask someone to mentor you, you should make two important lists. The first list details the reasons why you feel the individual would be the most effective choice as a mentor- the reasons why you chose that person. The second list should be a detailed assessment of what you hope to accomplish. These lists will help the person understand what you would need from them in a mentoring relationship. When the time comes to talk, schedule a face to face meeting. Talking through email or on the phone can diminish the sincerity of your request and make it harder to read subtle cues in body language and expression. Conveying that you are serious in your quest to be mentored will reassure the person that youre not going to waste their time.  Having Your First Chat with Your Mentor Begin by explaining that you asked to meet with them because you are at a juncture in your professional life at which you feel that you need the guidance of someone with more experience and wisdom than you have. Tell them that you carefully considered the people you know; they seemed to be the best choice to offer that guidance  and explain why. Then, ask them if they would be willing to mentor you, explaining your needs and goals. It’s a good idea to outline what you have in mind: do you meet weekly, monthly, or only when you have a question?   For how long?   For how many minutes each time? Is this a work activity, or personal, to be conducted during your off hours? Will you meet in person, by phone, or over Skype? Setting a time limit (3 months, for example) will make most people feel more comfortable than they would making an open-ended promise. A potential mentor may say yes immediately. It is possible, however, that the person you are asking will want to take the time to consider whether this is something they feel comfortable with and whether they can commit the time and energy to do it right. You must also be prepared in case the person, no matter how politely, declines.  Give them time to think about the proposal, and respect the answer, whatever it is. If they decline, they may offer an explanation, but it is inconsiderate to ask for one if it is not provided. They may not have the time or feel that they don’t have the skills or patience. If you have chosen your candidate well, and outlined the process well, there is a reasonable chance that they will gladly agree to provide the guidance and wisdom you need. Reyna Ramli is a writer for  CyberCoders.com, technology company that is dedicated to match skillful job seekers with great companies.

Why Gaining ISO-9001 is Important for Recruitment Companies

Why Gaining ISO-9001 is Important for Recruitment Companies There are a lot of recruitment companies in operation, and as in every industry, they can sometimes vary in quality from those who are seeking maximum profit for minimum input to those who genuinely want to provide an exceptional service for their clients and candidates. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the possible development of a standard for the UK recruitment sector, but until this happens how can a client differentiate between the good and the bad and decide who to trust to deliver a thorough and first class service? Choosing a recruitment provider can be a costly decision to a company; if they get it wrong a lot of time and money can be spent with very little gain. A recruitment company with an in-depth methodology, efficient processes and a mechanism for customer feedback is much more likely to provide a client with a thorough recruitment process and much more likely to succeed in delivering a successful outcome. But how does a service organisation prove that they have efficient systems in place before a new client experiences their service first hand? One way to help settle any doubts is for your recruitment provider to have memberships with professional associations and accreditations and therefore gaining the ISO-9001 is an excellent way to stand out as a reputable organisation. What is ISO-9001? The ISO-9001 standard is a set of quality management principles that ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services. The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) says “ISO 9001:2015 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified to, which can be used by any organisation, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact, there are over one million companies and organisations in over 170 countries certified to ISO 9001, International Standards include strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity and help company’s access new markets.”   The 8 leading principles of quality management are assessed are; Customer Focus, Leadership, Involvement of People, Process Approach, System Approach to Management, Continual Improvement, Factual Approach to Decision Making and Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relations. What are the benefits? To a recruitment business: The standard aims to look at and simplify internal processes and quality management systems, to help to reduce errors which can be costly to a business.  These improved processes can in turn lead to greater efficiency, productivity and work rate. These improved efficiencies and services to customers can also help to retain current clients and for future business. Gaining the standard and displaying the logo on stationery, on your website and promoting online will also help to attract new business. It demonstrates a company’s work ethic, that their working practices and documentation is transparent and that they are committed to providing a high level of service. Therefore, it can give a company an edge over competitors and can be a deciding factor for winning new business. To clients: Obviously the above benefits speak for themselves as far as receiving a great, efficient, reliable service from an audited company. If a company has been audited and awarded an ISO-9001 Standard, then they will have an annual surveillance audit to ensure they are still keeping within the standard and their processes haven’t slipped. These processes are in place to ensure customer service is upmost and practices are fair; therefore this should be a major factor in deciding upon which recruiter to use. It proves that there are rules and processes in place regarding data protection, that practices have to be adhered to and certain guarantees are made. Everything is documented and you may see any information held if you so wish. With such efficient processes in place more time can be spent on the brief and finding the correct candidates to fill the positions. To candidates:  Recruiters and executive search firms like Newman Stewart spend a lot of time approaching talented candidates with a view to putting them forward for a suitable opportunity. Sometimes, however, a person may be a little suspicious of the motives of recruiters and the practices they may have encountered in the past by other companies. Once a candidate is introduced to working practices and they are aware of the processes and the level of care and professionalism they will receive from a company who has been accredited for ISO9001, they are more willing to hear about new opportunities, with the peace of mind that communications will be confidential, the process will be discreet and data protection will be adhered to.

Coachology See yourself clearly and put it on paper

Coachology See yourself clearly and put it on paper The reason I spend so much time telling you to have someone else write your resume is that I have done it before, and it worked out really well for me. I thought of myself differently after getting help with the resume. This is because a good resume is not a list or a work history, but rather, a story. And the way we tell stories about ourselves really reveals who we are, but its very hard to craft a story about our work when we are so close to the details day in and day out. Stories are powerful. If you have a coherent story of yourself, then your resume reads like an organized plan. If you have no idea what your story is, your resume reads like a disjointed list. The most effective resumes show a timeline of progression in your life in a way that creates a story that will stick in the readers mind. Its hard to sift through all the resume writers and figure out who is good. So people ask me all the time for the name of the company I used. The problem is, that company is no longer in business. However a bunch of the people from that company continue to do the resume work as freelancers. And one of them, Elaine Basham will rewrite two peoples resumes for free this week. If you want to have Elaine take a crack at your resume, send a three-sentence email to me by March 25 that says what is wrong with your resume now, and what you want to accomplish with a new resume. Elaine will pick the two people who are most able to benefit from her service. For those of you who dont end up working with Elaine, you might end up having to write your resume yourself, so here are some of the most common mistakes.

My Best Friends Personal Brand - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

My Best Friends Personal Brand Have you ever thought about the qualities in your close friends that you most know them for and rely on them for? The things that make you want to keep them close? I’ve known my dear friend Marie Bernegger for more than 25 years. She’s steadied me through some difficult times. We’ve shared many happy experiences and laughed a lot. I know her character and personal attributes better than most. Marie (@MarieBe on Twitter) is a multiple award-winning quilter whos been at it for more than 30 years, and has struggled daily for more than 40 years with Type 1 diabetes. Several years ago she joined the new TuDiabetes online community â€"  now 20,000 strong â€"  and immediately stepped in to welcome and comfort new people, many of whom had just received their diagnoses and often were paralyzed with uncertainty and fear. Members come together on the site to share strategies to better manage their diabetes and raise awareness for the disease. Marie became a member of the TuDiabetes administrative team and has earned the reputation across the community for being compassionate, supportive, ethical, and genuine. These are personal attributes I’ve also come to rely on Marie for. I think the folks at TuDiabetes would agree with me about her greatest strengths â€" creating, collaborating, seeing the details, and being precise. She and I both love cooking and gardening, among other shared interests. I can always count on her to recall a recipe, from one of the many cookbooks we own in common, to make use of an array of ingredients I don’t know how to use up. At this time of year, we have discussions about what’s in our gardens, how to keep everything healthy, and, of course, what recipes will best suit the bounty of herbs and vegetables. Both of us are word nuts. If a word comes up in conversation that we’re unsure of, Marie is anxious to hit the dictionary to get the precise definition. We complain about the lack of good grammar these days, although we both must admit that we fall short ourselves sometimes. Marie believes in following the rules for whatever pursuit she’s engaged in. She knows about and respects proper etiquette and protocols. Her personal brand foundation, as I see it, is no more evident than in the way she led a recent project for TuDiabetes. This project allowed her to bring together two of her passions â€" quilting and TuDiabetes (she’s on a mission to elevate diabetes awareness). She was asked by the Diabetes Hands Foundation, which runs TuDiabetes, to design and create a Quilt for Life to represent them at the annual Children with Diabetes conference in Orlando in July. The quilt is a reflection of the Tudiabetes community, representing people with all types of diabetes, all ages, from all over the world. Marie’s idea was to bring back TuDiabetes Word in your Hand Program. In the quilt, 45 active members of the community are portrayed, each by an appliqued hand containing a word that expresses how they feel about diabetes, their type of diabetes, and their diagnosis date. One of the people spotlighted in the quilt  summed up the value of Maries work: Each one of those hands tells a lifes story that we can all understand in our own way. It makes you feel so much less alone in these daily tasks. This quilt should make us all feel good about our victories and not take the missteps so negatively. The quilt is a true thing of beauty and power. If you or someone you know needs help navigating a life impacted by diabetes, become a TuDiabetes member and feel better right away. And say hello to Marie! Take a moment and think about your best friend. What is it about them that you admire? What is their personal brand all about? Related posts: Even Quilters Are Tucking Into Personal Branding Executive Branding Strategy for a President-CEO-COO Manufacturing Operations 10 Steps to an Authentic, Magnetic Personal Brand The True Measure of Your Personal Brand 00 0

Quote Work is love made visible - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Quote Work is love made visible - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog And what is it to work with love? Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. Kahlil Gibran in The Profet Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Tips For Writing Resume Where You Only Show Samples

Tips For Writing Resume Where You Only Show SamplesWriting resumes is a process that can take months and even years. The biggest problem is that many employers prefer resumes that have samples of the work they require the job applicant to do. There are many reasons for this practice. But there are also several things that you can do to make it easier for yourself.One thing that you can do is get the right information. This means getting the job position that you want and applying to it with all the right paperwork. If you leave out any of the necessary paperwork, you may end up with a rejection letter.Sometimes the paper work can be very long and tedious. There is a better option when you do not have time to deal with that extra paperwork. This is when you can turn to the internet.If you think about it, the internet is a wonderful tool. You can easily find websites that offer to do the jobs for you.Most of the companies that offer resume writing services do not care what kind of job you need. They are all about finding people who are interested in their jobs.If you use an online service, you will save a lot of time and money. It's easy to get started and you will have more time to focus on your job search.In fact, you can often find yourself spending more time creating a resume than actually doing the job. You will be surprised at how much time you can spend building a resume if you make sure that you only use samples of the work that you will be required to do.If you want to use samples in your resume, there are things that you can do to make it easier for yourself. First, you need to make sure that you use the right information. This means filling out the right papers and following the proper procedure.