Recovery…what recovery?  Technically the recession is over now that we have had a quarter of economic growth, but that does not mean we are through with the ugly economy anytime soon.  It does mean there are some things you can do today without investing huge amounts of money to start preparing your company.  Look to the following areas to start positioning your company for growth:

Your Markets

Get out of the office and start visiting with current customers, and while you are at it join your sales people on sales calls.  You will hear firsthand what is going on with your customers and prospects, which will allow you to make adjustments to your marketing mix. 

A quick refresher on marketing mix… it is your products, price, promotion (marketing and advertising), and placement (distribution).  These are the key ingredients to the products and services your company sells.  A miss in any one of these areas can be the difference between success and failure.

Your Leadership

Review your leadership team and assess their knowledge, skills and ability (KSAs).  Are they in the right position for their KSAs?  Did they get to the position they are in just because they have been with you a long time?  Are they effective? Are you effective in letting them lead their part of your business?

This is a difficult task, since we all work very closely with our management teams.  Review your team objectively and get outside help.  This is the one critical success factor in your business growing.

Your Employees

You need your employees to help dig out of the situation the economy has put your company.  They have firsthand knowledge of your customers, processes, and products.  Get them helping by increasing your communication efforts. 

You may think you communicate enough, but you do not.  In difficult times you need to step your communication to make sure your employees understand the situation.  With a void of information your employees will make up scenarios of what is happening and in all cases these scenarios tend to be worse than reality.  Communicate through a variety of media to include regular (monthly) all-company meetings, one-on-one discussions, departmental meetings, emails, bulletin board postings.  Anything all allows you to reinforce your message.

Diversity

Diversity is one of those words that I learned to hate in corporate America because it meant reviewing affirmative action reports from HR and adjusting my hiring decisions based on the makeup of my department or company.  In reality, it means getting the right person in the right job and not hiring in our likeness – this means diversity of thought, background, ethnicity, age, etc. 

Not only does it mean to hire the best person for the job, but include them in decision making and respect their point of view.  Remember… the whole is smarter than the individual.  ALWAYS!

Conclusion

You can start working on your business today, with a little work during this period before the economy takes off.  Use this period to get employees engaged, put the right people in the right positions, provide training where training is needed and learn yourself to delegate and get out of the office.   

To hear more about how you can get your company ready, join us for Prepare for the Recovery executive briefing on November 13 in Lakewood.  For more information, visit www.roundhouseadvisors.com/prepare.htm 

Larry Turner is CEO of Roundhouse Advisors, Inc. and has over 25 years experience growing, starting up, repositioning, and revitalizing organizations.  Roundhouse Advisors is a business consulting practice focused on helping businesses increase enterprise value by managing pain, growth and owner exits.  Larry is a consultant, public speaker, and the author of “Owner Exit Planning: Leave On Your Own Terms”.  For additional information visit www.RoundhouseAdvisors.com]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:49:14 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22222&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22079&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea Please join the Colorado Springs SHRM "Stand by Me"  Diversity Conference

The Colorado Springs Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (CSSHRM)  along with partners Colorado Springs Diversity Forum and Colorado State SHRM Council will host the 2009 CSSHRM Diversity Conference in Colorado Springs at Embassy Suites Hotel.  Social networking begins with programs on November 4th at 7:00 p.m.  The full day event on November 5th is designed to benefit organizations of all sizes who want to add value to their operations with a better understanding of diversity and inclusion practices. 

For more information please contact Shirley Martinez at 719-233-1465 or Carla Elam-Floyd at 303-628-6334, or go to website www.csshrm.org.

Hope to see you there!

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:06:44 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22079&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21953&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea

My friend Patricia is probably the only person I would call a natural networker. Her worldly possessions have been in storage for most of the last 10 years as she goes where her heart tells her to (always beautiful places: Hawaii; Aspen; Naples, FL;  San Diego; hey! Why not?). Jobs and projects fall into her lap no matter where she goes (and right now she’s in Austria after having spent a couple of weeks in Spain).  She always has friends to stay with or a house to borrow.  I would say she’s female version of Tim Ferris. But she’s her own self.  And she makes her way in the world through relationships she builds along the way.

You ever have one of those right-words-at-the-right-time moments that blasts all your illusions away?  Patricia gave me the right words at the right time and showed me the way to think about networking.  It was a few years ago while she was visiting me on Cape Cod. I was feeling rudderless, pitiful, unnecessary, unwanted,  all those un’s that make it such a drag to get up in the morning. Patricia and I were sitting in the livingroom wrapped in blankets and drinking coffee (well, she was drinking herbal tea, of course). I was saying that I just couldn’t bring myself to knocking on Cape Cod businesses begging for a job.  And she gently said this:

“It’s not about what you need, it’s about what you can contribute.”

Oh.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh.

I’d been thinking about networking all wrong! It wasn’t about what a pitiful needy, loser, user I was. It was about letting the world know that I was here to help. Patricia certainly isn’t a needy, loser, user. She moves through the world like a queen (in a good way), and people take their cue from her – treating her accordingly.  And she benefits a lot of lives as she goes.  She may not have a permanent address (other than her Naples PO box). But she has real friends who love her, and she earns an honest living (thanks to laptops and cell phones), growing spiritually, emotionally  and professionally along the way.

You may not want to live the life that Patricia has (although, for me, every time she breezes through Santa Fe, where I live right now, ever fiber of my being screams ROAD TRIP!).  And you may not have the flexibility of treating the entire planet as your own personal marketplace.

But then again, maybe you do.  At the very least the marketplace that you most naturally belong to needs you! But it may not know you’re there. If your resistance to networking is keeping you shy, I don’t blame you. So maybe the thing to do is examine your beliefs around networking. And maybe change your mind just a little.

Networking is a waste of time.  It could be, depending on what you expect from your networking activities. If you want a job right this very minute (of course you do, just bear with me here for a minute), you’re probably going to think that networking activities are a waste of time because what are the chances that any given networking encounter will result in a job offer? To be honest – practically zero. 

Yes, I get that you need a job – right this very minute. And networking will eventually bring you that job. But it’s a cumulative effect kind of thing.  One person leads to another who leads to another who leads to five others.  As my coauthor for Unlock the Hidden Job Market, Duncan Mathison, says: Networking is about planting seeds. Lots and lots of them. Some will sprout. But the more networking you do, the more of those seedlings will sprout. And some – not to drive a metaphor in the ground or anything – will bear fruit.

Still not convinced?  What are the chances that staying at home will result in a job offer? Guaranteed: Zeeee-roe.

The only people I meet at networking events are people who are out of work themselves. That would be true.  Those networking events are the worst.  They suck the life right out of you. They waste your time. And feed your growing sense of despair and overwhelm. So. Stop going to them.

Networking is not  about going to networking events. It’s meeting people one-on-one, showing sincere interest in what they do, your shared industry or profession, your community, future trends, ideas, etc. 

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t network with other people who are out of jobs. But still make those one-on-one events, high-quality conversations where both of you end up with a growing list of ideas, connections, phone numbers, companies, introductions. 

People don’t want to meet me. How do you know? Somewhere someone needs you.  And that will only happen if you get the heck out of the house.

Just because you don’t have a job, that doesn’t mean you don’t have value and that you have nothing to contribute. People need you. To use Patricia’s philosophy: Get out and find out who they are.  Under other conditions would you let negative self-talk prevent you from lending a hand where your unique strengths and gifts can really make life easier for someone?  Of course not. So why let the inner gremlins have the power now?

People only want to hire to people who already have jobs. That’s a myth.  If you’re unemployed right now, you actually have some advantages working for you.  You’re available now.  You’re not coming in with that entitled “what can you do for me” attitude. You won’t be taking their offer back to your current boss to try to snag a sweeter offer.  Everyone knows that really great talent is on the loose right now because of the massive trend of lay-offs.  The fact that you’re between jobs right now is not a black mark on your record.  It’s just one of those things.

There’s no point in starting now, since the holidays are around the corner.  Wrong. This is absolutely a terrific time to look for a job. Budgets are being formulated for Q1. So while you might not start until January 1, you’d be making great use of your holidays by networking your brains out.  And just think,  if everyone else thinks that there’s no point in job hunting right now, you are out there with very little competition.

For a great article on this subject, check out: T’is The Season To Follow the Money.

I look like hell.  That might be true. If you’ve been stuck at home all day, not having seen the business end of a razor in weeks,  it might be time to put on your go-to-meetin’ clothes (assuming they still fit) and see if your car will start.  

Not judging here. In recent months I’ve been stuck at home writing books. Yoga pants and t-shirts have been my friends.  My business clothes have been on the floor, serving as bedding for the cats.  And just yesterday I spotted a coyote sauntering past my windows. And, while I was admiring its glossy coat and bushy tail, the thought came to me that it is better groomed that I am.  I picked up the phone and made an appointment. For tomorrow.  Can’t wait.

If you look like hell, you know what to do.  You probably won’t look like Heidi Klum, once you’ve spruced up. But you won’t look like Tom Hanks in Castaway either.

People will know that I’m only networking because I need a job.  So what?  You’re not the only one looking for a job. The question is: are you the person they’re looking for? It’s up to you how they’ll regard you. They’ll take their cues from you. If you act ashamed or frustrated, they’ll pick up shame and frustration and treat you like you have a contagious disease.  Figure out what it will take to behave with confidence, calm and professionalism. And do that.

Focus your conversation not on what you need but on what they need, what they think, who they might introduce you to, who you might introduce them to, etc.  Remember: It’s about contribution, not need.

I’ve already done everything I can think of to get my resume into circulation. No you haven’t.  Networking is not about bugging your family, friends, the Rotor Rooter man. A reader actually wrote to me saying that she gave her resume to her mail carrier.  

Networking is about expanding your circles of contacts, acquaintances, colleagues. It’s about making lists of people and their phone numbers. Then picking up the phone and calling those folks.  It’s difficult, I know, especially for people who don’t enjoy calling strangers.  But remember, you’re calling colleagues and peers…people you have something or someone in common with.

These are people you might be able to help.

And that’s what it’s all about.

Special note from Martha:  These principles have been borrowed from my new book, Unlock the Hidden Job Market, which I wrote with Duncan Mathison. To learn more, visit our website! ]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:39:52 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21953&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21701&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea  

  Feeling like you're losing control of your career? Nobody's responding to your applications? Wishing someone would return your calls? Your career is your own! Time to reclaim control over your future! This is the article for you! I hope you enjoy it!

If you’ve been between jobs for, like, an hour, you already know that wishing will get you only so far. Now. Luck. That could be another matter altogether. While you can’t control everything in life, you can certainly help good luck along by the actions you take and the way you take care of yourself while you’re looking for your next job. You need all the advantages working for you. And that includes luck.

Now that you’re looking for your next, great job, let’s see how we can give it a nudge in your direction, shall we?

Expect that the right job really is out there waiting for you to find it. Yes, even in these days when it appears that “no one is hiring,” people are getting new jobs. You’ve got to hold onto the belief that you will too. If you don’t, you’re going to be sending out those freak-out vibes that will tell potential employers that you’re about to self-combust right then and there. And who wants to hire that? Keep that grounded core of calm, solidified by the belief that, yes, you’re on your way to your new job.

Be prepared to meet your opportunity when you least expect it. I don’t mean you have to be dressed in go-to-meetin’ clothes, with your resume at the ready all the time. In our new book, Unlock the Hidden Job Market, my coauthor, Duncan Mathison, and I tell a great story about a client of his who meets his next opportunity while standing on the beach in San Diego, dripping wet, battered and bruised after a raucus competitive ocean swim. He was CFO caliber, and the guy he met was a CEO looking for a CFO. Suffice it to say, not exactly your dress for success moment. (Personally, I’m imagining an ill-advised Speedo and a decidedly snotty nose. If this guy can land a job with that as a first impression, just think what luck you’ll have just being dressed!)

Keep your mind open. Duncan Mathison and I also tell the story of one of his clients who found a job through a friend of his mother’s. The daughter of a friend of his mother’s, no less. But it took this guy four weeks to pick up the phone and make the call that would ultimately land him the job. Whether it was generic sexism or mom-snobbery that was holding his client back from making the call that could change his life, who knows? Either way, it’s a good story to keep in mind when you’re inclined to say “nope” to hope.

Look at what you have to offer from the point of view of your potential employer. The line, “look, I really need this job,” is compelling only in the movies. In real life, it’s darn pitiful. And will net you sympathy, not a job offer. Don’t lead with your need. Present yourself in terms of what you have to offer. So look at your pile of gifts, skills and experiences from the standpoint of how they will solve a company’s problem or meet a need. That’s a conversation that will inspire the right person to say, “How soon can you start?”

Tell your career story in a positive way. When you launch into the response to, “So, tell me about yourself,” stay away from “…and then I got laid off.” Emphasize the results you achieved, talk about the people who noticed your performance and chose to promote you to the next level, tell about the teams you worked in or led. As you near the sad-sack conclusion that takes you to how you’re out of work now, don’t gloss over it. But quickly turn the tables and ask your interviewer a question about the company, his or her own experience in some similar project or team, his or her opinion about the current state of your profession.

Release your attachment to the so-called system. Amazingly, 70% of all jobs never get published or advertised in any way. That’s why we call it the hidden job market. But even though those jobs are hidden, you can still find them. But that means you have to release your grip on the expectation that “the system” will deliver up a selection of jobs for you to choose from every morning. It might have before (like in 2005) but it won’t anymore. The hidden job market is where you’ll find the great jobs. But you have to go looking for them.

Take that as good news. Sure you have to be more proactive than you were a few years ago. But the hidden job market puts you in the drivers seat. You have the power to go out and find the great jobs and companies that meet your criteria. That’s so much better than just sitting back and waiting for a diminishing stream of the wrong jobs trickle by you.

Finally, keep your standards high. Luck won’t find you if you’re targeting job opportunities that are clearly beneath your abilities. When you keep your standards high, you will be at the right place at the right time. On purpose. And by design.

So much better than just crossing your fingers, wouldn’t you say?

A special note from Martha:  These ideas come from my brand new book, Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tough. This book tells you how to find that great job that’s waiting for you!]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:56:53 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21701&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21616&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea The Colorado SHRM Conference next week, can you believe it?  If you’re like us…you’re excited and getting ready for a great professional education and networking event.

Over the course of the conference you’ll have the opportunity to engage in fantastic educational sessions and hear from some wonderful motivational keynote speakers like Mark Sanborn and Puruse the Passion! You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with conference sponsors, like Jobing.com – so come by and visit with us at Booth #301! If you haven't registered to attend the event, there is still time - visit www.coshrm.org to register today!

Jobing.com is proud to once again be a major sponsor of the Colorado SHRM Conference! We’ll be in the Exhibit Hall with information on exciting new products and services to help you meet your goals and even to create some new ones! Drop by and visit with us on October 1st and 2nd. You will learn why we’re much more than just a job board and why we should be your first choice for Local Talent!
The conference photos will be uploaded to http://www.flickr.com/groups/coloradohr. We will be uploading photos at the conference so that you can see the photos immediatley!

For more information watch the official conference video! See you soon! ]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:30:16 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21616&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21560&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea
There are lots of resources out there offering resume tips that will help you get that first interview.  Check out this list of common mistakes and make sure you avoid them.  Get in the door for that first interview and show them you’ve got what it takes!

Mistake 1 – Focusing Too Much on Responsibilities – Yes, you should be noting what you did but make sure you also mention the results.  Instead of saying made 60 sales calls per day, say made 60 sales calls per day to establish 5 leads and set 1 appointment.  Instead of saying created an automated billing system, say created an automated billing system which saved the company $500,000 per year in administrative costs.

Mistake 2 – Spelling, Formatting and Punctuation Errors – Right or wrong these errors tell the recruiter your attention to detail is lacking.  Perform spell checks, have friends review it and proof it yourself several days later.

Mistake 3 – Focusing on Yourself and Not the Employer – People tend to get wrapped up in describing themselves and their past work experiences.  Winning resumes indicate to the employer what you can do for them.  Of course you have to include both but make sure you comment on how your skills apply.  This is particularly important on cover letters as well.

Mistake 4 – Having Only One Version of Your Resume – In a perfect world, each resume you submit will be customized and sent with a customized cover letter.  It is amazing how much this will help.  At a minimum have several resumes ready for varying types of jobs.  A friend of mine recently created more than five versions…standard sales, sales job for which he’s slightly under qualified, sales job requiring management experience, sales job requiring travel, etc.

Mistake 5 – Gimmicks –  Rarely will using bright paper, unique layouts or crazy fonts get you an interview you wouldn’t have received anyway.  Recruiters are busy.  Send them a resume and cover letter they don’t have to decipher before getting to the details.
]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:17:31 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21560&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21297&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea A client confessed in a recent coaching session that he felt "pressure to perform" in networking situations. He likened it to the moments before an unprepared performer takes the stage; equal parts anticipation and dread! If that sounds familiar, try thinking less about getting your message across, and more about approaching networking as "objective curiousity."

Here are three great questions to include in any networking conversation:

1. What brings you here?
2. Tell me about yourself?
3. What distinguishes your business from your competition?

Come prepared to answer those questions as well, because nine times out of ten your conversation partner will want to know the same things about you.

At events you attend, look for wallflowers. They're the people on the edge of the action. Perhaps they're new to the group, or uncomfortable in large gatherings. Everyone has a story, and the only way you'll find the stories of great value will be to ask. If wallflowers aren't readily available, seek out and join the conversation group that looks like they're having the most fun! An opening like "I'm new to the group, what can you tell me about today's event?" opens doors like magic!

A book I highly recommend for people who want to learn how to break the ice is Debra Fine's The Fine Art of Small Talk. Check out http://www.debrafine.com/ for more information on her books and speaking engagements.

My next book is titled The 89 Greatest Business Development Questions Ever! This quick read will be available in paperback at year's end, and you can pre-order to avoid the holiday rush (will fit in a stocking) at http://www.mikefaber.com/store.php]]> Wed, 2 Sep 2009 14:38:11 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21297&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21164&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea American Payroll Association is part of an initiative to eliminate the use of paper paychecks nationwide. Currently, employers can go paperless in about 20 states. We’re tackling the rest state by state, and we need help from employers! We’re posting sample letters pre-addressed to the state officials in those states that currently keep employers from enjoying a paperless payroll. If you are an employer, please download a copy of the letter, personalize it, and send it on company letterhead.

The focus of the request is to allow employers to mandate direct deposit. Where employees do not provide their bank account information, employers should be able to provide paycards instead of paychecks.

Please join the effort!

Sample letters can be downloaded from the “ Green State ” link at:

www.americanpayroll.org/government/]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:26:32 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21164&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21160&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea

Contributed By:   Senior Vice President of People & Talent of Jobing.com, Nicole Spracale

I am often asked this. I mean, after all - does it really make a difference, is it really of value?

For me, the answer is yes! I truly believe getting your certification is of value and can make a difference in both securing employment, while providing you a level of credibility among your peers and with your employer (current and future). As a professional in any field, taking the time to earn appropriate certifications and maintain them is important. We often look for accountants to have a CPA, and project managers have their PMP. So shouldn't an HR professional do the same?

Of course, if the certification itself and body of knowledge that comes from preparing for and completing the certification exam doesn't have value to you as an individual, then taking the test is just an exercise in regurgitating information. If your passion isn't to be the best you can be in the profession, then this test and the re-certification process will take a great deal of time that is better suited towards exploring something that will help you be the best at what you aspire to do.

I won't lie - the test is challenging, it isn't just a no-brainer fill-in-the-bubble exercise. By preparing for the exam either through the SHRM learning system, a local certification course, or by going through one of the published study guides you can purchase at most bookstores, along with meeting the experience guidelines that are provided via the HRCI website, you will put yourself in the best position to succeed. As a bonus, the study process will probably re-familiarize you with some aspect of the HR practice that you either have not touched in a while, or haven't yet worked with in your career - which certainly can pay you immediate dividends even before you sit for the exam.

I passed my PHR exam many years ago, and then took my SPHR exam a few years later. To this day I still say with pride that I am a certified professional, and I work to stay current with my certification. Do I believe it added value for me? Absolutely! Which is why I always recommend the process to anyone who is passionate about their career in Human Resources.]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:16:16 GMT http://coloradosprings.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=21160&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea