Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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 ..."
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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
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Monday, July 11, 2011

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..."
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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

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Friday, July 8, 2011

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.
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Monday, June 27, 2011

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: 10 reason that women are amazing at networking and...

The Monsoon- Making Rain in the Southwest: 10 reason that women are amazing at networking and...: "II 1. It is my belief that women are natural networkers. Yet, I meet women every day who tell me how much they hate networking. So to..."
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Ten tips to grow your business

It is summer time.  The kids are out of school, the mercury is sky rocketing, and summer travel is in full effect.  And yet-just like the busy squirrel storing away nuts for the winter, if you want to have a hearty supply of clients you must continue to focus on business development despite all of the wonderful distractions.  So, today's blog is another top 10 list.  This one is a down and dirty 10 quick business development tips anyone can follow (some you can even execute from the pool!)

Tip #1- review all of the business referrals you have received this year.  Send each referral source a thank you with a little gift (small gift card, personalized stationery, movie tickets, etc.)  The goal is to get a real handle on where your referrals are coming from and to show your gratitude for your referral sources efforts.  Trust me your referral sources will LOVE this!

Tip #2- using the list you created in tip #1, identify the categories of people who have sent you referrals (e.g. commercial banker, accountant, contractors) reach out to 1 new person in the identified categories and take them to lunch or coffee.

Tip #3- Using the categories of referrals you identified from tip #2 (see I told you this was easy) join 3 new affinity groups on LinkedIn that are likely to contain your identified categories of professionals (e.g. women in banking, energy professionals, mortgage brokers of Arizona)  At this point in the game, you do not have to make contact with anyone in the group and you do not have to post; you just need to join.  But, pay attention to the dialogue-you will learn who the players are in the field, you might see a client or two, and if you see a conversation where you can add some insightful commentary consider participating.

Tip #4- Call an old co-worker, former client, former colleague, or a former classmate.  One of the tricks of business development is to simply get in the habit of making contact and reaching out.  Call someone you have lost touch with.  You never know where that person is now and how you might be able to help each other.  Plus you will enjoy the call.

Tip #5- Set up a google news alert (for the lawyers in the crowd save yourself time and set up a Lexis alert instead) on a current client's industry.  Consider sharing any insightful articles with your client.

Tip #6-Schedule one (or three if you are ambitious) hour in your calendar each week to commit to business development.  It is easy to push your business development efforts when you have other time-sensitive deadlines.  Don't fall into this trap.  Instead, give your business development the respect and importance it deserves and schedule time each and every week for business development activities.

Tip #7-Gather up any stray business cards that you have been collecting and enter them into your contact management system.  If you have administrative support, delegate this task.  It is estimate that 2/3 of all leads are never followed up on.  It takes time to make contacts. Don't let disorganization cost you a potential client or referral source.

Tip #8- Seek out and attend one networking event that sounds interesting and that you have never attended before.  If you hate attending events where you don't know anyone, attend an event related to your best client and invite him/her to attend with you.  If the best client idea doesn't appeal to you, invite a co-worker.

Tip #9- Review your list of existing contacts and create an automated tickler system to stay in contact.  Determine which contacts need to hear from you month, quarterly, etc. and schedule the reminders so that two months from now when you are busy with all your new clients you don't forget to stay in touch.

Tip #10- Do what you enjoy.  Business development can be difficult and for many it is truly painful.  If you hate what you are doing-you will not keep it up.  So, stop doing the stuff that gives you heartburn and instead start doing the business development activities you enjoy.  Do you like to write but hate to network?  Fine-write more.  Do you enjoy meeting people but hate networking with strangers?  No problem-find a group rich with potential referral sources and take a leadership position.  You know yourself.  Whatever it is that YOU enjoy-my challenge to you is to take your business development effort up a notch.  Do more of what you enjoy and you will reap the rewards.

If you have business development tips that you would like to share, send them my way.  Enjoy your summer but 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, 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.




POSTED BY JONELLE VOLD AT 7:56 AM 
 

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