Our final meeting for 2013 is this Friday. (No meeting December 27th)
This weeks meeting will be at the same place and time as 2 weeks ago. At the Starbucks in the middle of the South Lake Union Amazon Campus. (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North https://goo.gl/maps/Q9dvn) Free parking is available at the School of Visual Concepts (https://goo.gl/maps/ffLBb)
This particular Starbucks serves beer and wine and light food in the evening which could come in handy after a week of being underutilized and overworked (regardless of whether you're earning anything). And with all the excellent bars and restaurants in the area my recommendation is to come downtown early to relax a little and avoid the traffic nonsense. (Traffic after 8 doesn’t seem to be as much of a problem) Again, I’ll buy wine or a coffee drink for the first 3 people to RSVP me they are coming. Email address in the column to your right.
December 20th Topic: What do I need to stop doing in 2014?
Almost everyone does new years resolutions. Today’s meeting is a discussion about the ONE thing you need to begin NOT doing in 2014 that will most help you grow professionally (or personally but that has a professional payoff)
Example:
What I need to stop doing: Going to bed later.
Why I need to stop doing it: So I am more rested, healthier, clearer-headed, more even-tempered, etc.
How I intend to stop doing it: Set an evening alarm. Reward lights out before midnight.
GOING FORWARD:
Please revisit the revised survey Link: When Do You Want To Meet?. It only asks 5 questions and I’ve reduced the answer options to those most in contention.
Here’s a preview of the questions it asks:
What time of day would you prefer to meet?
What day of week would you prefer to meet?
How often would you prefer to meet?
Where would you like to meet?
The meeting schedule through the end of the year:
December 20th - Meeting 6:30 - 8pm (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North)
December 27th - NO meeting
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Something interesting: Tools you can use
(Even if you already have work)
The first tool I’m checking out is Insightly. A contact management system that’s free for up to 3 users and a limited about of contacts and storage demands. (About right for a job search I believe)
Ironically the secret I learned (the hard way) of creating a good contact database in Insightly is to do it the hard way. That bulk batch importing of data from a poorly maintained contact list is NOT the way to build a useful CRM. Were I to do it over (and I’m seriously considering doing just that)
Step 1: I’d batch output my Linkedin list to a spreadsheet.
Step 2: Batch output Google Contacts also to an excel spreadsheet.
Step 3: Batch output whatever contacts I had elsewhere (I have lots) also to an excel spreadsheet.
Step 4: Adjust the field names so that they match.
Step 5: Put them all together to sort and eliminate duplicates.
Step 6: Get rid of any that have just emails (Google contacts seem to grab spam addresses and think they are contacts. Not a good thing.)
Step 7: Run through merge data, update things, since it’s all in one place and easy to see.
Step 8: Import it into the CRM.
Step 9: Muck with it some more (inevitably)
Step 10: Celebrate!
What does a CRM allow me/you to do? More effectively keep track of contact history, conversation notes, obligations to follow up, etc. organize communication time efficiently, create mass mailings (not that I’d recommend that), make sure potential opportunities don’t fall through the cracks because I/you got busy somewhere else.
If you use a spreadsheet, notebook, string around your finger, you’ll find it a major improvement in your sense of being in control of your time. You may find yourself doing less random contact with people who’ve forgotten who you are and more regular contact with people who know you care enough to stay in touch (and remember what was important to them.)
More help and hints on using this tool over time, maybe. Share your thoughts about CRM or what tools you use in the comments below.
- Duane
The first tool I’m checking out is Insightly. A contact management system that’s free for up to 3 users and a limited about of contacts and storage demands. (About right for a job search I believe)
Ironically the secret I learned (the hard way) of creating a good contact database in Insightly is to do it the hard way. That bulk batch importing of data from a poorly maintained contact list is NOT the way to build a useful CRM. Were I to do it over (and I’m seriously considering doing just that)
Step 1: I’d batch output my Linkedin list to a spreadsheet.
Step 2: Batch output Google Contacts also to an excel spreadsheet.
Step 3: Batch output whatever contacts I had elsewhere (I have lots) also to an excel spreadsheet.
Step 4: Adjust the field names so that they match.
Step 5: Put them all together to sort and eliminate duplicates.
Step 6: Get rid of any that have just emails (Google contacts seem to grab spam addresses and think they are contacts. Not a good thing.)
Step 7: Run through merge data, update things, since it’s all in one place and easy to see.
Step 8: Import it into the CRM.
Step 9: Muck with it some more (inevitably)
Step 10: Celebrate!
What does a CRM allow me/you to do? More effectively keep track of contact history, conversation notes, obligations to follow up, etc. organize communication time efficiently, create mass mailings (not that I’d recommend that), make sure potential opportunities don’t fall through the cracks because I/you got busy somewhere else.
If you use a spreadsheet, notebook, string around your finger, you’ll find it a major improvement in your sense of being in control of your time. You may find yourself doing less random contact with people who’ve forgotten who you are and more regular contact with people who know you care enough to stay in touch (and remember what was important to them.)
More help and hints on using this tool over time, maybe. Share your thoughts about CRM or what tools you use in the comments below.
- Duane
Thursday, December 5, 2013
December 6th Meeting
A little background: When OCA started meeting in coffee shops was kinda a “thing.” All the cool unemployed kids were doing it. We elevated those one-on-one meetings to commiserate to a new level when we went from one-on-ones to “hey gang, let’s get together to share tips and give each other some support.” We eventually outgrew those Starbucks gatherings and spent a brief time at the School of Visual Concepts in an unused classroom. And as people found work we downsized to a meeting room at Uptown Espresso. It’s time for us to shift again.
You spoke and I listened. This Friday December 6th is our first of a three month experiment with an every-other-week schedule. And it’s the first (regular) meeting we’ve done in the evening (6:30-8pm).
People have been telling me that while they have work, they are definitely still under-employed. The task of career development is n ever really done it just shifts to a back burner. The every-other week schedule and evening time will hopefully better allow people to continue to take baby steps towards defining and achieving their career goals. (And of course current job seekers are always going to be welcome.)
The School of Visual Concepts is still supporting us with free parking (when classes aren’t in session) and I’ve shifted our meeting location to the Starbucks in the middle of the South Lake Union Amazon Campus. (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North https://goo.gl/maps/Q9dvn)
This particular Starbucks serves beer and wine and light food in the evening which could come in handy after a week of being underutilized and overworked (regardless of whether you're earning anything). And with all the excellent restaurants in the area people may want to make dinner plans before or after the meeting and avoid all of Friday’s traffic nonsense.
So in simple terms, the meeting schedule through the end of the year:
December 6th - Meeting 6:30 - 8pm (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North)
December 13th - NO meeting
December 20th - Meeting 6:30 - 8pm (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North)
December 27th - NO meeting
December 6th Topic: Now what?
Mostly going to be a “get to know you” for those that haven’t been coming the meetings or never could come to a meeting. Other discussion on what you’re doing now, what you’d prefer to be doing, etc. Don’t feel like you have to come prepared.
PLEASE RSVP: I’d like to know who all is coming so I can grab the right amount of space. (I’ll buy wine or coffee for the first 3 people to RSVP me)
- Duane
You spoke and I listened. This Friday December 6th is our first of a three month experiment with an every-other-week schedule. And it’s the first (regular) meeting we’ve done in the evening (6:30-8pm).
People have been telling me that while they have work, they are definitely still under-employed. The task of career development is n ever really done it just shifts to a back burner. The every-other week schedule and evening time will hopefully better allow people to continue to take baby steps towards defining and achieving their career goals. (And of course current job seekers are always going to be welcome.)
The School of Visual Concepts is still supporting us with free parking (when classes aren’t in session) and I’ve shifted our meeting location to the Starbucks in the middle of the South Lake Union Amazon Campus. (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North https://goo.gl/maps/Q9dvn)
This particular Starbucks serves beer and wine and light food in the evening which could come in handy after a week of being underutilized and overworked (regardless of whether you're earning anything). And with all the excellent restaurants in the area people may want to make dinner plans before or after the meeting and avoid all of Friday’s traffic nonsense.
So in simple terms, the meeting schedule through the end of the year:
December 6th - Meeting 6:30 - 8pm (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North)
December 13th - NO meeting
December 20th - Meeting 6:30 - 8pm (Starbucks - 442 Terry Avenue North)
December 27th - NO meeting
December 6th Topic: Now what?
Mostly going to be a “get to know you” for those that haven’t been coming the meetings or never could come to a meeting. Other discussion on what you’re doing now, what you’d prefer to be doing, etc. Don’t feel like you have to come prepared.
PLEASE RSVP: I’d like to know who all is coming so I can grab the right amount of space. (I’ll buy wine or coffee for the first 3 people to RSVP me)
- Duane
Something Interesting: Tool box
Tools you can use (even if you already have work)
Job searches (and career management) can get overwhelming. And unfortunately most of the tools to make it easier are designed to take money from you or turn you into a product to sell to someone else.
I’ve been on a mission to identify the useful tools for managing this process. And I’ve discovered some you should (and may already) know about. Over the next month I’ll write some reviews and share how I’m using them (or anticipating using them as the case may be) Feel free to investigate for yourself:
Insightly - A Contact Management System.
Evernote - Note-taking research tool
Google - (Google Calendar, Gmail, Tasks, Drive, Maps, etc.) Integrated resources for doing stuff.
Linkedin - Portal for professionals
Glassdoor - Research on the inside
Starbucks - Really, there’s a tool you need to know about.
(and a few more)
Job searches (and career management) can get overwhelming. And unfortunately most of the tools to make it easier are designed to take money from you or turn you into a product to sell to someone else.
I’ve been on a mission to identify the useful tools for managing this process. And I’ve discovered some you should (and may already) know about. Over the next month I’ll write some reviews and share how I’m using them (or anticipating using them as the case may be) Feel free to investigate for yourself:
Insightly - A Contact Management System.
Evernote - Note-taking research tool
Google - (Google Calendar, Gmail, Tasks, Drive, Maps, etc.) Integrated resources for doing stuff.
Linkedin - Portal for professionals
Glassdoor - Research on the inside
Starbucks - Really, there’s a tool you need to know about.
(and a few more)
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