Managing Yourself in an Economic Downturn
Now it's time to commit. If it involves learning, then it should be embraced as continuous learning, not continuous training. It's about nonstop improvement.
Some ideas to consider under the topic of formal training; Presentation Skill Training, Public Speaking, Communications Skills Training and others may be offered at local schools or your Chamber of Commerce. Industry websites are excellent tools to find seminars and workshops.
Under the banner of informal training, Google "webinar" and your profession and you'll be surprised what you'll find. Try the library, many libraries allow you to download books free-of-charge. Social Networks are another option (and another topic we will cover in depth in the future), one of the best networking sites for business is LinkedIn. In LinkedIn Groups there are networking groups for just about every profession and most major metropolitan. Join a group, network, start discussions, ask questions, and maybe answer a few.
If you're the boss, take you employees to lunch and ask what they think. If you're an employee, ask your boss how they achieved their greatest success. And if you're a business owner wondering why so-and-so down the street is so successful, pick up the phone and ask them.
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.
Managing Yourself in an Economic Downturn
Doing Tips 1 and 2 allows you to move into Tip 3; the creation of your action plan. You know what you want to do, you have an inventory of your tools, let get's that roadmap started.
You need to write your action plan down. By writing your action plan, it will provide you greater focus, commitment, and it makes it more real. Don't worry, you aren't writing the next great American novel. It should be short and to the point.
Take each goal or aspriation, how long will it take to reach these? Are they short term, medium term or long term? Listing your goals and aspirations on paper including the estimated time of execution will focus your thinking on the tasks required for aspiration attainment rather than on the possible intimidation of the big picture. Becoming a Titan of Industry is tough work and here is where it starts.
Are ready to get out there an take some action? On to next week...
Tip 4: Marketing Me 101. Pledge to further develop and network yourself.
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.
Managing Yourself in an Economic Downturn
You get up in the morning, you look in the mirror and you see what you see that same old familiar face. But that's not always what other people see. How you are perceived? Much of life is perception and unfortunately it can either be positive or negative. Knowing how you are perceived is where to begin.
How would a colleague, co-worker or family member describe you? What would they say are your strengths and weaknesses? Would they say that you are known for your ability? Valued for your expertise? Trusted for your integrity? What significant contribution or contributions are you known for at your company?
Here's where you put yourself on the line. Keep an open mind and ask. Just listen to what they have to say. No comments, sidebars, or rebuttals (though you are allowed clarification if you don't understand their viewpoint). And remember, write it down!
To help you even further, consider asking your supervisor or Human Resources for information regarding participating a review, in some companies this is known as a "360 Review". If skill sets need to be addressed, this is where they will be revealed.
How are you doing? Next week...
Tip 3: I need a plan for this? The correct answer is yes.
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.
Managing Yourself in an Economic Downturn
First, let's start by answering the following; At what stage are you in your business career (staff, manager, director, executive)?
Next, it's time for the good news and the bad news. Do you enjoy what you are doing and do you think you will for the next 20, 30, or 40 years? If so, what are the top four things that you really enjoy about it? If not, what are the top four things you dislike about what you do? What three career accomplishments are you most proud of? What lessons have you learned from those that you are not so proud of?
If you were to make a career change, what would it be and why? Before you jump, think about what you value and why. Is it wealth? Prestige? Serving others? What aspirations do you still have and why?
Finally, write down down! Studies have shown people are far more likely to act on the written word rather than keeping it all in their head. And plus it's a great thing to look back on once you've achieved those goals.
Done? Great! You're 14.3% of the way there. Next week...
Tip 2: What do people see in me? And why?
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.
"People can't live with change if there's not a changeless core inside them. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value".
Stephen Covey
So is it getting to you yet? Anticipating consequences stemming from the current recession we are in can be scary. What will tomorrow bring? How long will this economic downturn continue? How will it impact me today? Where will I be tomorrow?
These questions and others are in the minds of millions of people confronted with a situation that none of them, including you, asked to be a part of. One day the economy is fine. The next millions of workers are suddenly out of a job and you are left asking yourself; How did this happen? That's good, but take control and try this one on for size "What can I do to best prepare myself to navigate through this economic downturn and come out the better for it"?
How does that sound?
These career tips which will assist you in evaluating yourself and developing an action plan that will help put your best self forward. Though important now these tips will not only out you in control during difficult times but also during the good times. Yes, we've all been a little complacent, but now is time to not only get ready, but stay ready. (Tip o' the hat to Coley Perry).
Monday...
Tip 1: Tip One. Who are you? And have you taken an inventory?
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.
I've been in the recruiting business a number of years, and I have a lot of reasons to smile. First, let's take a walk down memory lane.
Years ago in another lifetime, me, hot shot creative guy was going to set the world on fire with his insight, innovation, and incredible talent. And yes, I blazed brightly in those days. One success followed another, CEO's asked my opinion (and often followed it), awards were won, and the appropriate amount of thunderbolts were hurled around the firmament.
I've been blessed with working with the best of the best. I've played my part in tripling the size of a private company and taking it public. And been privileged to be part of a small rag-tag team of ten who grew a business from a blank sheet of paper to $700,000,000 in 5 years.
Life was good, until I heard the voices.
"The people you work with are crazy, maybe even certifiable".
"You know, it's not normal to be pulling all-nighters with your team for people who just don't care".
"You want me to do what? By when? And for how much?"
Crazy me. I started listening.
Through all of this there was my extremely patient family. And here's the part where recruiting comes in. My wife, she's been in the business for 20 years, a marvel, a pro, she "makes it happen". Me, I was too busy hurling thunderbolts around the firmament to understand what she really did.
Fast forward. "Tell me about what you do" was the start.
After a lot of conversation, that brings me to today.
Today is a small town in West Central Iowa in the middle of cornfields as far as the eye can see. Today is giving a hand to small businesses with the knowledge to be successful. Today is watching my son's football game (hey, they won 48 to 0)
So why is this man smiling? Because of the future in recruiting.
The future means making a profound effect on individual's lives and businesses. It is a responsibility I take very seriously. So I look under every rock, read the 127th resume, interview the friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend. This is serious, meaningful, stuff that makes a difference and will continue to do so.
The future is a compelling mix of new and old.
The Old. Two weeks ago I volunteered at a local SHRM event for displaced workers. Over 100 people showed up to hear firsthand what hiring managers and recruiters are seeking in talent. My part, a round table discussion with 6 people to answer their questions, listen to their fears, and do my best to give them hope the next interview will be the right interview. It doesn't get more old-school than a face-to-face discussion.
The New. A few weeks ago, old school marketing guy (me), attended a webinar on social networking. Now I'm no novice at this, I network with the best of them and LinkedIn is my friend. But OK, Facebook?, Twitter?, and others as business tools? Where am I going to see the bang for my buck? Where am I going to get that 25th hour in my day? Well the light bulb went on that day, and it wasn't just a 60W bulb, it was a 1000w bulb. The King of Marketing was dead, long live the King.
The future is my fellow recruiters. In the years since I've chosen this profession, I have never seen an industry which shares, participates, and gives of themselves so much as this one. I'm not sure of the reasons. Maybe it's because we look for the best in people. Maybe it's because we've worked with crazy people and no one should ever have to do that. Maybe it's because what we do makes a difference and we want to help others make a difference. Whatever it is there will only be more on this road we are on.
If you see me on that road, wave. I promise I'll wave back, it's what we do in Iowa.
Paul is all about simple, practical advice in recruiting, career development and human resources solutions.