The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: You love Fridays-but what about Mondays?

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: You love Fridays-but what about Mondays?: " OK Rainmakers-its Friday. I know this brings great joy to the depths of many of your hearts. I work from a home office on Frid..."

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: You love Fridays-but what about Mondays?

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: You love Fridays-but what about Mondays?: " OK Rainmakers-its Friday. I know this brings great joy to the depths of many of your hearts. I work from a home office on Frid..."

You love Fridays-but what about Mondays? Part 2

           Good morning Rainmakers-it is here.   Monday morning has arrived.  Did you meet it with dread and apprehension about the upcoming week or did you meet it with a spring in your step and enthusiasm for its possibilities?  If you are still working on the transition from dread to excitement, here are 5 easy things you can do this morning in one hour to grow your business and begin to treasure your Mondays.

• If your office is a mess, spend 15 minutes getting organized.  I know it is hard to spend time on non-substantive projects but the time you spend this morning will pay huge dividends through the week.   You will actually save yourself time and frustration later if you spend the time today to get organized now.  Not to mention, you will feel better walking into the office.  No one wants to walk into a mess.  From one paper piler to another-trust me on this.  (Yes Mom-you were right all along)

• Spend 5 minutes and set your rainmaking goal.  Do you need to make 5 phone calls to former clients?  Take 1 strategic partner to lunch?  Maybe you need to attend 1 networking event, write 1 blog, and meet 3 new people?  You get the idea.  If you are serious about becoming a rainmaker, it is time to get moving.  Evaluate your business and set a rainmaking goal for yourself.  It is OK to start small.  But-get started.

• Spend 15 minutes identifying your low-hanging fruit.  We all have people ready to do business with us.  Who do you already know that with one phone call or one meeting is ready to send you business or hire you?  Is there an existing client that mentioned they are opening an office in a new location?  A friend from college that recently changed companies?  A new law that potentially impacts your clients?  Spend some time this morning thinking about your biggest opportunities and how you can move the ball.  Then schedule some time on your calendar to execute on the opportunity i.e. make the phone call, schedule the lunch, write the memo, etc.

• Spend 15 minutes  creating a to-do list for the week.  Get it all on there-the important projects you have been avoiding, the silly errands that must be done, and or course the dream projects that get your juices flowing.  Once all the projects are on the list, review the list and prioritize it.  Prioritize based on your upcoming deadlines but also based upon your vision and plan for yourself for the future.  If the latter part of this sentence sounds totally foreign, it is gut check time.  Are you living from fire to fire or are you spending time being strategic and crafting today so that you meet tomorrow's goals?

• Spend 10 minutes in gratitude.  Even if you hate your Monday mornings, you have a place to go on Monday morning.  If you are reading this-you have a computer.  You probably had a warm bed that you slept in and you woke up.  Maybe you have a wonderful family to hug your neck and wish you a good day.  You likely have an education and a world of opportunities at your fingertips.  My challenge to you today is to spend 10 minutes just being thankful.   For the ambitious rainmakers, send a thank you note to someone for something.  If someone paid you, hired you, sent you work, or helped you in any way last week-that is a good place to start.  If none of that is true for you, send a thank you note to your mentor, a former professor, anyone.  Being grateful is a learned state.  So, just start.  I promise you that if you spend the time to think about it you have a LOT to be thankful for including Monday morning which is full of awesome potential.  

Bonus- If you are like most of my coaching clients, you are probably an over-achiever and completed the above activities in less than an hour.  If so-here is a bonus suggestion.  Read something inspiring.  Instead of jumping into the 100 emails that are waiting for you, spend an extra 5 minutes, scour the web and read a story that inspires you.  It doesn't have to be work related.  Just find something that speaks to you and reminds you that the world is about more than the waiting projects on your desk.  The inspiration will provide you new energy, creativity, and optimism for the work week ahead.

Rainmakers are not born, they are created.  Rainmakers know that time is a gift that cannot be wasted.  Every day is important-even Mondays.  

 May your Monday be filled with possibility and some of the excitement normally reserve for Fridays afternoon.  Don't forget your umbrella-I see rain in your forecast!

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.   

Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 22, 2011.  Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you.  Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Be a stickler when it comes to your success!

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Be a stickler when it comes to your success!: " I am not normally a stickler for details. I am generally pretty good at going with the flow and not letting insistence on ..."

Be a stickler when it comes to your success!

            I am not normally a stickler for details.  I am generally pretty good at going with the flow and not letting insistence on perfection ruin my experience.  But, when it comes to your success, I am a stickler.  Today, I want to talk about details when it comes to how you engage with others to advance your career.  Whether you are speaking with a mentor, asking a strategic partner for an introduction, or even reaching out for a new job opportunity, working with others can expedite your career advancement.  However, there are some details you need to follow when you are engaged in this process.  These details are important and cannot be overlooked.

            First and foremost-you MUST care more about your career than the person you are asking to help you.  I know-many of you are thinking, yeah of course.  However, I see this and experience it all the time.  Caring more about your career than the other person means that YOU are responsible for making the contact or following up if you are lucky to have someone proactively reach out to you.  YOU are responsible for keeping the appointment.  YOU are responsible for the follow up after the appointment.  This is your career.  If you want someone to help show him/her that it is worth it by taking the initiative and owning the responsibility of the engagement. 

The people who are best situated to help you with your career are probably also very busy.  Assume this and act accordingly.  Don’t email them and ask them to call you.  Instead, you pick up the phone and call them or send an email and schedule a time to talk.  If you leave your success up to the determination of their busy schedule-YOU will be disappointed. Plus-pushing the responsibility for the contact to the other person sends a message that you either don’t understand that they are busy or don’t value their assistance and contact enough to make the appointment yourself.

            The second detail-make it easy to help you.  If possible, do your research in advance.  Know what you want from the person when you show up.   If what you need most is someone to brainstorm with so that you can formulate a plan-say so.  But, don’t make the other person guess about what you are looking for.  Like anything else in life, if you don’t ask-you don’t get.  So showing up with no idea what you want or need will get you vague answers and likely lead you to confusion.  Plus, it is a frustrating waste of your time and the other person’s time.  Don’t allow this to happen.  Take the time to think about why you want to meet with this person and outline a meeting agenda or meeting objectives. 

            Finally, remember your manners.   If someone takes the time to meet with you to help you advance your career, please send a thank you note.  I know in the era of email it is tempting to shoot over a thank you email.  Resist this urge and instead take the time to put actual pen to paper and send a thank you note.  It is also appropriate to keep the person in the loop about your advancement.  Human beings are natural social creatures.  We want to help one another.  Asking someone for help and then sharing your journey will keep the person invested in your career.  It will also be very satisfying for them. 

            If you are taking the time to read this, I know you care about your success.  So join me in being a stickler for the details.

            Don’t forget your umbrella-I see rain in your forecast

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.   

Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 8, 2011.  Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you.  Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Charge your career!

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: Charge your career!: " Today’s post is for those folks who have found themselves on the short side of the post-2008 job market. If you have recen..."

Charge your career!

            Today’s post is for those folks who have found themselves on the short side of the post-2008 job market.  If you have recently lost a job or struggled to find a job utilizing your professional skills, this week’s blog series is for you.  

Let's say it one time-you lost your job.  It is unfair, it is scary, and it sucks!  OK it is out of our system, now let’s get down to the business of discussing some practical things that you can do to turn lemons into lemonade.

            Stop blaming, whining, crying, and any other “ing” that doesn’t make you feel amazing.

            I know that going through a job loss can be terrifying.  I know that often job losses happen in a very inequitable and unsettling manner.  But-staying stuck in the negative emotions is going to lessen your chances of finding a job.  Human beings are attracted to positive energy.  Your first job is to find a way (hire a therapist, write a letter, allow yourself one day to tell everyone, etc.) to see and feel the positive in this situation.  Play mind games with yourself if you have to, somehow someway you need to find a positive place and remain there during the job search process.

            I was just talking to a friend who has found herself on the opposite side of employment and she mentioned that the hardest part is waiting for potential employers to respond to resume drops.  My response-stop waiting and take charge.  This is your opportunity to re-invent your career.  Take the bull by the horns.  Stop waiting to find your dream job advertised and instead write your own dream job description.  Then, start looking for companies that match your description.  If you cannot find a dream company-maybe you need to start one.

 In my younger days I played a lot of softball.  It didn’t take too many shots to the jaw to discover that if I sat back and waited for the ball to come to me-it often took a bad bounce.  If I charged the ball, I could scoop it before it had a chance to move in any unpredictable ways.  The same theory applies to your search.  If you are without a job, you do not have the luxury of waiting for someone to advertise the job of your dreams.  You do not have time to submit a resume and wait for someone to call you.  All of the waiting is going to end with a bad bounce to the jaw.  Charge your career.  Do research, submit unsolicited resumes, call up the hiring partner of the firm of your dreams and tell him/her why that firm is the firm of your dreams.  Really live and ask to buy said hiring partner a cup of coffee to discuss what you can bring to the firm.   Take chances you wouldn’t take while you are employed.  What do you have to lose?

The other advantage of charging your career-all of the positive momentum will leave you FEELING positive as well.   And, as previously discussed, when you are feeling great-people are automatically drawn to you.  So, as you are interviewing for your dream job you will be in a GREAT state of mind attracting your interviewer to you and increasing your chances of being hired!  Ain’t life grand?!?

Get our there

If you are in search of a new opportunity, everyone you know should be aware of said search.  This means, getting out there.  I don’t care how reserved and shy you think you are.  If you have had a professional job, you have a network.  Now is the time to put your network to work for you.  Once you have identified the specifics of your dream job and any companies that offer your dream job-scream it from the rooftops.  Tell your neighbors, your former co-workers, college roommate and anyone else that will listen.  If you know what you are looking for, it becomes exponentially easier to spot it.   Really play the odds and use your network to help spot it.  

I know it can be a little awkward to call up people you have not talked to in awhile to ask for their help.  If you really want a job- DO IT anyway.    Here is a little secret-people like to help other people.  I have received phone calls from friends of friends, old classmates, and my husband’s former co-workers.  Each time, I was flattered that they called me and was more than willing to help.  If you are in a positive state, and I know you will be because you read the first part of this blog and understand how important it is, members of your network will be happy to hear from you.  Your phone call will be a chat with an old friend not a draining therapy session.  So, get out of your own head, stop making excuses, and start making those phone calls.

Don’t overlook social media.  One of the greatest benefits of social media is that you can get information out to the masses quickly.  So, don’t be shy about posting a positive message about what you are looking for on LinkedIn, Facebook, or even Twitter.  Search for your dream company on LinkedIn and follow it.  Search your network for anyone that may have connections to your dream company and reach out to them.  Look for networking events, seminars, and workshops sponsored by your dream company and attend.  Search the Internet for articles or blogs written by employees of the dream company and respond.  Find ways to connect yourself to the opportunities you want.  Your search is limited only by your own creativity and determination.

One of the most detrimental patterns I see from job hunters is allowing themselves to become socially isolated.  For many, work was is the foundation of their social life.  If this is you-you have to find a way to stay connected to real people.  Computers are great tools but online chats do not substitute for human contact.  If you can afford it, join a gym or take a hobby class.  If money is tight-attend free events in your community.  Attend a free Meetup, free lecture, job fairs, and chamber activities.   Get out of bed every day, dress for success, and find people.   This will prevent you from falling into isolation and keep you in that critical positive state that I keep harping on.

In today’s economy, many talented, well-educated, and driven people have found themselves in the midst of unexpected job hunt.  The truth is, it can happen to anyone that is employed by someone else.  So, if it’s you-charge your career.  Seize this opportunity and go find (or create) the job of your dreams!  

Still need a boost?  I will offer one free  60 minute coaching session to anyone that contacts me as a result of today's blog.  Now you are totally out of excuses.  Let's get started!

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.   

Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 8, 2011.  Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you.  Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details

Be an informed Rainmaker- new change on LinkedIn

You all know that I LOVE LinkedIn and think it is a great tool for rainmakers.   However, LinkedIn recently made a change to its privacy policy (a change that I am excited about) that you need to know about.  For those of you in regulated industries with limitations on how and when you can advertise, I want to make sure you are aware of the change and understand how it may impact you.  

Here is the Change:
Section 2(K) of the policy states:

Advertising and Endorsements on LinkedIn
In order to deliver relevant and valuable ads to you and your network, LinkedIn may use your name and profile photo in connection with social advertising based on content shared on LinkedIn. This advertising may include the fact that you have recommended or endorsed a product or service on LinkedIn, followed a company, joined Groups or conversations, established or added content to your profile, etc., and will only be displayed to your LinkedIn network. You can opt-out of allowing your name and/or profile photo to be used in social ads here < http://www.linkedin.com/settings?modal=nsettings-social-advertising&tab=account> .

In summary the change means that now Linked In will auto generate status update/advertisements for its users and display these advertisements to everyone in the users network (including second and third degree connections)  Woo hoo!!!

Despite my excitement about this new change there are several potential issues with this feature as it pertains to the use of LinkedIn that you should be aware of-particularly if you are in a highly regulated industry.

Potential issues to be aware of:

(1)  LinkedIn-generated social advertisements that include your name/picture/profile might appear to be an advertisement from you.

(2)  Profile information may be included in a social advertisement to anyone in a your LinkedIn "network," which includes second and third degree connections, not simply direct connections.

(3) There does not appear to be any way of knowing when or how your information may be used in a social advertisement, or placing limits on the use of such information. So the potential exists that your profile information could be tagged for inclusion with a competitor's advertisement.

Proposed solution:

If you are in a regulated industry and are concerned about the impact of this new change, you may want to opt out of allowing your profile information to be used in social advertising. To opt-out, sign in to your LinkedIn account, click on your name (at the top), then on "Settings”, then on "Account" (lower left), then "Manage Social Advertising" (under "Privacy Controls”), then un-check the permissions box.

Many thanks to the lovely Annie Groth for bringing this change to my attention.

Happy Friday & do not forget your umbrella.  I see rain in your forecast!

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A wife, mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com, 520-225-9053, or www.jonellevold.com.   

Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes.  The last set of STMA classes for 2011 start on September 8, 2011.  If you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you.  Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details.