Agenda item for 10/18/13

Topic: Seriously zeroing in on a target.

We've talked about this before so many of you already know the concepts. The challenge is never really knowing what to do it's in being motivated to do it and staying motivated enough to follow through. Crisis is always pretty motivating. When you don't have any other choice but to act people usually act. It's always a little disappointing when we look back and say to ourselves "what took us so long?"

This week, first we'll kick around the concept of targeting for anyone that doesn't already know the reason for and the power of having a clear target. Then I'm going to issue a challenge. And we're going to work on it together. (You'll be able to meet it. The real question is will you follow through and do the work?) Hint: the challenge will involve acting on your targeting.

OK, It will be first to identify the target organization, then the target role you want, then to find out who hires that target role. And then… Well, that's where the fun begins.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE MEETING:
Be awake. (But since we meet at a coffee shop you'll be fine.) A computer would be handy.

Agenda for: 10/4/2013

Quite a lot went into creating this presentation and frankly I'm nervous it's not going to be any good. But I'm sharing it anyway in the hopes it will be useful to the people who most need it. (And to get feedback so I can improve it.)

What is it? The Value Proposition Bootcamp (this version anyway) is a very short primer on what a value proposition really is and what's involved in creating them. Plus a couple exercises to get people started developing their own.

Why am I doing it? Because I feel it will give those who are struggling in their job transition something to re-energize their search. Once you understand the power of a strong value proposition you'll be able to do things like:

• ORGANIZE & OPTIMIZE YOUR CAREER PATH
• CREATE A PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN
• BECOME SEEN AS AN EXPERT
• CREATE A BETTER TARGETING LIST
• CREATE A MORE PERSUASIVE LINKEDIN PAGE
• CREATE A MORE PERSUASIVE RESUME
• WRITE MORE PERSUASIVE COVER LETTERS
• HAVE MORE PRODUCTIVE INFORMATIONALS
• GET BETTER JOB REFERRALS
• GET BETTER JOB OFFERS
• GET STRONGER RECOMMENDATIONS
• GET YOUR EMAILS OPENED

Why else am I doing this? Because I just have to, frankly. Value-centric Branding is what I know and for better or worse I'm driven to try and help as many people as I can discover, define, design, and deliver the greatest possible value they can. For their sake as well as for all the rest of us. Incrementally I'm trying to make the world a better place. Corny I know.

(yes this is a free meeting)

Agenda item for 9/6/13

Relationship redux

After getting ones own act together the next big task is rallying your resources. Who's on your side and who do you want on your side?

This week we're going to continue our talk about nurturing more productive relationships; acquiring mentors, coaches, collaborators, and co-conspirators; and all that goes into that. (Special Surprise: I've drafted up a simple 20 min exercise I want to try out on you.)

After our brief check-in we'll move on to make the most of the meeting -
To organize your check-in please use this form: (link here)

Or if you want to share with me in advance of the meeting use the form at this link:
Weekly Check-in ("your name+email" is your password)

This week's topic question: What career change relationships do I need and how do I create them?

Something Interesting

Something I've come to genuinely believe: There's no such thing as a boring person. (Of course I may be the exception that proved the rule.)

Agenda item for 8/30/2013

Connection, Collaboration, Co-creation.

Success is a community effort. No one achieves it by themselves. Your family, teachers, bosses, friends, and hundreds of others - both deliberately and unintentionally - helped get you where you are today. It's going to require just as much a team to get you to where you want to go next.

And YOU are that team's leader.

This week we're going to talk about nurturing more productive relationships; acquiring mentors, coaches, collaborators, and co-conspirators; and all that goes into that. Notice I didn't mention the role of slave or servant. People don't help those that don't respect them. Our goal is to create relationships that work for others just as much as they work for us. (If not more so.)


After our brief check-in we'll move on to make the most of the meeting -
To organize your check-in please use this form: (link here)


This week's topic question: What career change relationships do I need and how do I create them?

Something interesting: "It's not easy being mean"

 
An interesting editorial from Design Observer about Steve Jobs. Steve demanded excellence in himself and in the people who worked for him. He believed that everything matters. My belief is the same. You are the sum of everything you do and how you do it as well as everything you say and how you say it. I believe that sometimes you have to challenge people when they are selling themselves short. Ironically respecting people more than they respect themselves doesn't always earn you much respect in return. DF

Link: Steve Jobs: A demanding man (Brief Article)

Something interesting: Some light reading

For those of you taking the summer off I thought I'd offer a little light entertainment that will also encourage you to think a little differently.


Your talent will only get you so far, you still have to do the work. Charm and a great resume will most assuredly open doors for those that possess them. But those doors won't open if you don't know how or aren't willing to knock on them.

The ten thousand hour rule complexity (new yorker article)


While directed towards entrepreneurs I think everyone can learn something from this article. Taking risks in your career is inevitable. As we've discussed in the group even NOT taking risks is risky. (The environment you're in is constantly changing so your choices are adapt, move, or die.) Learn the value of an identity separate from work and learning to accept your own vulnerability.

The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship (inc magazine article)


And speaking of vulnerability. This is the video that sparked my creation of the Pride, Shame, Hope, Fear human analog to the well known SWOT analysis. Check it out and expand your ability to see yourself as you really are. Understand your shame. That is what makes you uncomfortable, what puts you on the defensive. And through understanding your humanity you'll understand your worthiness.

Brené Brown on Vulnerability (TED Talk)